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At least 7 killed in hotel siege in Somali capital – police At least 15 killed in hotel siege in Somali capital – police
(about 2 hours later)
A suicide car blast and a siege of a hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, carried out by Al-Shabaab Islamist group has left at least seven people dead, a police officer said. A suicide car blast and a siege of a hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, carried out by Al-Shabaab Islamist group has left at least 15 people dead, a police officer said.
“At least seven people died in the blast and 10 others were wounded. We have rescued many people from the back door,” Police Major Ali Hassan told Reuters.
An unknown number of people were taken hostage, Police Captain Hussein said, AP reported.An unknown number of people were taken hostage, Police Captain Hussein said, AP reported.
The militants are armed with grenades and are using machine guns shooting back at police officers trying to get access to the second floor of the hotel.The militants are armed with grenades and are using machine guns shooting back at police officers trying to get access to the second floor of the hotel.
Two of the attackers have been killed so far, Hussein said, adding that there are snipers stations on top of the building.Two of the attackers have been killed so far, Hussein said, adding that there are snipers stations on top of the building.
The Nasahablood Hotel, located at the KM4 road area of Mogadishu is currently under siege, according to police.The Nasahablood Hotel, located at the KM4 road area of Mogadishu is currently under siege, according to police.
The car explosion was soon followed by a second blast that took place inside the hotel after the militants began storming the building, Somali police reported, according to AP.The car explosion was soon followed by a second blast that took place inside the hotel after the militants began storming the building, Somali police reported, according to AP.
"They started with a suicide bomb and then stormed in. Now they are inside and the heavy exchange of gunfire continues," Major Nur Farah told Reuters."They started with a suicide bomb and then stormed in. Now they are inside and the heavy exchange of gunfire continues," Major Nur Farah told Reuters.
Somalian security forces have been battling the attackers, who “took positions behind blast walls and sandbags; fighting is still ongoing,” Hussein added.Somalian security forces have been battling the attackers, who “took positions behind blast walls and sandbags; fighting is still ongoing,” Hussein added.
As many as 11 people mostly “wounded in cross-fire” were evacuated and taken to hospitals, an ambulance driver, Yusuf Ali, said.As many as 11 people mostly “wounded in cross-fire” were evacuated and taken to hospitals, an ambulance driver, Yusuf Ali, said.
The attackers targeted the hotel guests, witness Ali Mohamud said, according to AP.The attackers targeted the hotel guests, witness Ali Mohamud said, according to AP.
“They were shooting at everyone they could see. I escaped through the back door,” he said.“They were shooting at everyone they could see. I escaped through the back door,” he said.
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the Mogadishu hotel, according to police.Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the Mogadishu hotel, according to police.
The Islamist group is known for carrying out frequent attacks in the capital in an effort to overrun the current government.The Islamist group is known for carrying out frequent attacks in the capital in an effort to overrun the current government.