MOGADISHU, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nine people were killed and ten others injured in a hotel attack in Somali capital, Mogadishu on Sunday evening as security forces ended a nine-hour siege of the hotel.

Sadiq Adan, police spokesman said four al-Shabab fighters carried out the attack among them a suicide bomber who rammed a car laden with explosives inside Afrik Hotel near a security checkpoint and Aden Adde International Airport.

Adan said three attackers were killed by the security forces inside the hotel which is frequented by prominent people.

"Nine people had been killed in the attack, four of them gunmen, while more than 10 others have been injured. We have ended the deadly siege in the capital," Aden told journalists at the scene.

The police spokesman said several civilians; government and security officials who had been trapped inside the hotel were rescued while the injured were rushed to various hospitals in Mogadishu.

Afrik Hotel has in recent weeks been hosting a series of conferences by Somali clan elders, members of the opposition presidential candidates ahead of the planned polls which the al-Shabab military group has vowed to disrupt.

Al-Shabab which is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government claimed responsibility for the latest attack through its media affiliates, saying its fighters were targeting government officials who were meeting in the facility.

Somali President Mohamed Farmajo and his prime minister, Mohamed Hussein Roble, have both sent condolences to the victims of the terror attack.

In separate statements issued on Monday, the two leaders called on Somalis to unite to defeat terrorism. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)