An upmarket hotel in Mogadishu was bombed by Gunfire and explosions on Friday evening, by unidentified gunmen, according to reports.
A senior police officer, Hassan Dahir confirmed that a gun battle was taking place between gunmen and Somali security forces at the Hayat Hotel in Somalia’s capital, in an area frequented by lawmakers and government officials.
Meanwhile, as the siege continued two security officials, including Mogadishu intelligence chief Muhidin Mohamed, were wounded in the ongoing attack, Dahir said.
In addition, Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on its affiliated online sites, saying its fighters managed to take over the hotel after blasting their way into the building. Although the fact of this claim has not been confirmed as of reporting.
A statement by US Africa command this week claimed to have airstrikes and killed 13 members of the al-Shabaab group, earlier this week. It is unclear if the Friday attack is connected to that strike.
US President Joe Biden redeployed troops in May this year to Somalia in support of the local government and to counter al-Shabaab.
CNN/Jide Johnson
