This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mogadishu-hotel-attack-live-updates-al-shabaab-islamists-somalia-a6898481.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mogadishu hotel attack: Building in Somali capital 'stormed by al-Shabaab' jihadists Mogadishu hotel attack: 14 dead as building in Somali capital stormed by al-Shabaab jihadists
(about 1 hour later)
Fighters from the Islamist group al-Shabaab have attacked a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia.Fighters from the Islamist group al-Shabaab have attacked a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The militants set off a car bomb outside the hotel and say they have stormed the building.  Five militants and at least nine civilians were reported dead as government security forces ended the attack on the Somali Youth League hotel.
"We started with a car bomb and then stormed the hotel," an Al-Shabaab military operations spokesman said. "We are inside it and fighting continues."
He said it was the Somali Youth League hotel.
The SYL hotel is locarted across from the presidential palace and is frequented by government officials and business executives.The SYL hotel is locarted across from the presidential palace and is frequented by government officials and business executives.
A police officer said the car bomb struck the gate of a park behind the hotel and most people escaped through another gate. A suicide bomber rammed a car bomb into the entrance of the hotel, allowing gunmen to fight their way past hotel guards at the first security border, Captain Mohamed Hussein said.
"I heard an exchange of gunfire around the area. I am not sure whether or not the attackers are in the hotel," Police Major Ahmad Ismail said. Four gunmen and the suicide bomber were killed, he said, adding that the attacks did not get past the last security checkpoint.
He did not say if there were any casualties. At least nine dead bodies of civilians could be seen outide the hotel, he added.
Residents reported hearing gunfire following the blast, with a large plume of smoke rising above the city.Residents reported hearing gunfire following the blast, with a large plume of smoke rising above the city.
A second explosion of a similar magnitude was heard 40 minutes after the first, the BBC reports.A second explosion of a similar magnitude was heard 40 minutes after the first, the BBC reports.
Al-Shabaab often launches attacks in Mogadishu on a Friday - the Somali weekend - when more people visit the city's hotels and restaurants. Al-Shabaab often launches attacks in Mogadishu on a Friday - the Somali weekend - when more people visit the city's hotels and restaurants. 
The al-Qaeda affiliated group claimed responsibility for a mortar attack targeting the presidential palace which killed three civilians, including a child, on Thursday.The al-Qaeda affiliated group claimed responsibility for a mortar attack targeting the presidential palace which killed three civilians, including a child, on Thursday.
Additional reporting by agencies