An attack by radical Shebab Islamists in a hotel in Mogadishu, where gunshots and explosions were heard, caused casualties on Friday August 19, according to security sources and witnesses.
Heavy exchanges of fire took place at the Hayat hotel in the Somali capital between the security forces and the jihadists, who are still entrenched inside the establishment, the security official told AFP. Abdulkadir Hassan.
“
A huge explosion sounded a few minutes before the assailants forced their way into the hotel
,” Abdukadir Hassan said.
"
We don't have the details so far, but there are casualties, and the security forces are now grappling with the enemy who are entrenched inside the building
," he added. .
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Witnesses said a second explosion took place a few minutes after the first, causing casualties among rescuers, members of the security forces and civilians who rushed to the hotel after the first explosion.
"
The area is now cordoned off and there is an exchange of fire between the attackers and the security forces
," said a witness.
An Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, which has been engaged in an insurrection against the Somali federal government for 15 years, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“
A group of Al-Shabaab assailants forced their way into the Hayat hotel in Mogadishu, the fighters are firing at random inside the hotel
,” the group wrote in a brief statement on a pro website. -shebab.
The Shebab were driven out of the main cities of the country, including Mogadishu in 2011, but they remain established in vast rural areas.
In recent months, they have intensified their attacks.