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9 killed in suicide attack on hotel in Somali capital, 20 held hostage by militants 14 killed in suicide attack on hotel in Somali capital, 20 held hostage by militants
(about 2 hours later)
At least nine people were killed as a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden car into a hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Police also said there was a hostage situation at a restaurant adjacent to the hotel. At least 14 people were killed as a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden car into a hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, and gunmen stormed into a restaurant adjacent to the hotel, taking hostages. Police managed to shoot dead two attackers.
"So far, we can confirm that nine people – mostly women who were hotel staff – have died,” police officer Mohamed Hussein told Reuters. A total of 14 people, mostly young revelers who were entering the restaurant as the attack began to unfold, died as a result, police said. The number includes two neutralized hostage takers and a Syrian man, police officer Mohamed Hussein said, as cited by AFP.
He said that a terrorist drove his car into the entrance of the Posh Hotel in the center of the city.He said that a terrorist drove his car into the entrance of the Posh Hotel in the center of the city.
Police, cited by AP, said that following the blast, the gunmen got into the Pizza House, taking dozens of visitors hostage.Police, cited by AP, said that following the blast, the gunmen got into the Pizza House, taking dozens of visitors hostage.
The police later said that at least 20 people were being held by the terrorists.The police later said that at least 20 people were being held by the terrorists.
Police said they had rescued 10 people from the besieged restaurant, but an unknown number of hostages are still trapped inside.
"The fighters are still inside the Pizza House (restaurant) and they are holding over 20 people. We do not know how many of those are dead or alive," said Major Ibrahim Hussein, as cited by Reuters."The fighters are still inside the Pizza House (restaurant) and they are holding over 20 people. We do not know how many of those are dead or alive," said Major Ibrahim Hussein, as cited by Reuters.
Witnesses said that they heard gunfire on the scene, with the city center area remaining cordoned off by the police.Witnesses said that they heard gunfire on the scene, with the city center area remaining cordoned off by the police.
The al-Qaeda-aligned terror group Al Shabaab has already taken responsibility for the attack.The al-Qaeda-aligned terror group Al Shabaab has already taken responsibility for the attack.
Suicide bombing and gun attacks in Mogadishu have become Al Shabaab signature tactics after it was forced to retreat into remote rural areas by African Union peacekeepers.Suicide bombing and gun attacks in Mogadishu have become Al Shabaab signature tactics after it was forced to retreat into remote rural areas by African Union peacekeepers.