Somalia: scores dead, injured in latest Mogadishu hotel siege by Al-Shabab militants

Sporadic gunfire and explosions rang out Monday (28 November) around a hotel in Somalia’s capital that was attacked by the Al-Shabab group of insurgents a day earlier, reportedly killing at least four people.

The Villa Rose Hotel is a popular venue for senior government officials and parliamentarians located a few blocks from the offices of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. “The terrorist gunmen are trapped inside a room in the building and the security forces are about to end the siege very soon. Several people were injured, including government officials,” Mohamed Dahir, a security official told the media. “So far we have confirmed the death of four people,” he added, without specifying who the four victims were. However, some press reports said a Briton was among the four people killed.

Witnesses had described two loud explosions on Sunday evening, marking the start of the Al-Shabab attack on the hotel, which is located not far from the presidential palace in Mogadishu and is normally heavily secured. On its website, the Villa Rose is described as “the safest accommodation in Mogadishu,” with metal detectors and a high wall.

The al-Qaida-affiliated group that has been trying to overthrow Somalia’s central government for 15 years, claimed responsibility for the attack. The African Union Force in Somalia (Atmis) condemned the attack and “commended” on Twitter “the Somali security forces for their swift response to prevent further casualties and property damage”.