Al-Shabaab militants attack Somali hotel, kill 12

At least 12 people were killed Sunday as Al-Shabaab militants stormed a hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, police and witnesses said.

Police officer Mohamed Hassan told Xinhua that a car bomb hit the gate of the Sahafi hotel and then several gunmen stormed in.

“They entered the hotel exchanging heavy gunfire with the security, but finally Somali security forces managed to end the attack. The situation now is under our control,” he said.

Another police officer Ahmed Ali said a few politicians and MPs were inside the hotel when the attack took place.

“Unfortunately, we heard that former Army Chief of staff of Somali government Abdikarim Dhega-badan and the owner of the hotel Abdirashid Ilkayte are also among the dead people,” he said.

Ahmed said another car bomb exploded near the hotel minutes after the first attack, killing a number of civilians

“After the first attack, we were busy in dealing with the situation, but another blast occurred at the place, killing civilians, including a journalist, while another was wounded,” he added.

Witnesses said they heard huge explosion at Sahafi hotel early hours of Sunday.

“People were going to work when heavy explosion followed by heavy gunfire occurred ta Sahafi hotel and also heard several blats inside the hotel,” Mogadishu resident Muse Sheikh told Xinhua.

Politicians, MPs and senior government officials often visit the famous hotel of Sahafi at busy junction of KM4, central of the capital.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.