At least 15 people have been killed after suspected terrorists set off a car bomb and stormed a hotel in the Somali capital, officials say.
A suicide car bomber crashed his vehicle into a gate outside the Hotel Ambassador – frequented by lawmakers and popular with Westerners – in Mogadishu this evening.
“A suicide car bomber has targeted the Hotel Ambassador along Maka Al Mukaram Road, Colonel Ali Mohamed, a Mogadishu police officer, told Reuters. “..He rammed into the gate. It is too early to know casualties…”
Minutes later a number of well-armed militia stormed inside the hotel shooting everyone, according to eyewitnesses.
Well known MPs Abdullaahi Jaamac Kabaweyne and Mohamud Mohamed Gure were among the dead, the state TV reports.
At least four other Federal MPs and Journalists were rescued by the security forces.
The local media are reporting some of the assailants are still shooting after they took up positions on the upper floors of the hotel.
Residents from the area say they could still hear sporadic gunfire inside the hotel, with a cloud of smoke seen rising from nearby buildings.
Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab militants quickly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Horseed Media & Agencies
SOMALIA: Al Shabaab car bomber strikes hotel in Mogadishu, at least 15 dead including MPs [Pictures]
Published: June 2, 2016
