Police officer Mohamed Dahir said more than 60 guests were rescued from the “Hayat” hotel, which was besieged by terrorists, on Friday night. However, it is still assumed that there are still many guests in the building.
According to police, the extremists initially set off four explosions and then stormed the hotel, which is popular with government officials, journalists and business people. Outside the hotel, there were violent exchanges of fire with security forces. Thick clouds of smoke rose from the hotel building.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the crime and claimed to have killed at least 20 people. It is the first large-scale act of terrorism since Somalia’s newly elected president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took office in May.
The Horn of Africa country, with about 16 million inhabitants, has been shaken for years by the terrorist group’s attacks. Al-Shabaab controls much of the southern and central regions. The terrorist group repeatedly carries out attacks against security forces, politicians and civilians.