This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35673533
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Somalia al-Shabab: Deadly attack on SYL hotel in Mogadishu | Somalia al-Shabab: Deadly attack on SYL hotel in Mogadishu |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Militants have stormed a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, leaving at least nine people dead, in an attack claimed by al-Shabab. | Militants have stormed a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, leaving at least nine people dead, in an attack claimed by al-Shabab. |
| The attackers set off a car bomb outside the heavily fortified Somali Youth League hotel before moving in. | The attackers set off a car bomb outside the heavily fortified Somali Youth League hotel before moving in. |
| An explosion also targeted a popular park known as the Peace Garden. Police say the attack is now over after they shot and killed four attackers. | An explosion also targeted a popular park known as the Peace Garden. Police say the attack is now over after they shot and killed four attackers. |
| Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is waging an armed insurgency in Somalia. | Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is waging an armed insurgency in Somalia. |
| Who are al-Shabab? | Who are al-Shabab? |
| Al-Shabab split by IS calls | Al-Shabab split by IS calls |
| The BBC's Ibrahim Aden in Mogadishu heard a loud explosion on Friday evening, followed by gunfire. | The BBC's Ibrahim Aden in Mogadishu heard a loud explosion on Friday evening, followed by gunfire. |
| Our reporter says 40 minutes after the first car bomb went off, another explosion of the same magnitude was heard. | Our reporter says 40 minutes after the first car bomb went off, another explosion of the same magnitude was heard. |
| Al-Shabab told the BBC they were "in control" of the hotel. | Al-Shabab told the BBC they were "in control" of the hotel. |
| "We have attacked the SYL Hotel and we've forced our way into the hotel," they said. | "We have attacked the SYL Hotel and we've forced our way into the hotel," they said. |
| However, one resident at the hotel told the BBC Somali Service the gunmen had not managed to get inside and had been repelled by security guards. | However, one resident at the hotel told the BBC Somali Service the gunmen had not managed to get inside and had been repelled by security guards. |
| The hotel, situated near the presidential palace, is popular with government personnel. | The hotel, situated near the presidential palace, is popular with government personnel. |
| Eyewitnesses at the Peace Garden said there were many people in the park at the time of the attack. | |
| "My sister, class mates and I were taking pictures at the peace garden when the car bomb hit the gate of the park," eyewitness Halima Nur told Reuters. | |
| "We all rushed through the back gates," she added. | |
| It is not unusual for al-Shabab to launch attacks in Mogadishu on Fridays, the first day of the Somali weekend. | It is not unusual for al-Shabab to launch attacks in Mogadishu on Fridays, the first day of the Somali weekend. |
| The operation comes a day after a mortar attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu in which three people were killed. | The operation comes a day after a mortar attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu in which three people were killed. |