A general view shows the aftermath of a bomb explosion, at the gate of Naso Hablod Two Hotel in Hamarweyne district of Mogadishu, Somalia October 28, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS
“The death toll rises to 25 people including police, hotel guards and residents. The death toll may rise. We suspect some other militants disguised themselves and escaped with the residents who were rescued,” police officer Major Mohamed Hussein told Reuters.
Car bombs kill at least 22 in Somalia's capital Mogadishu
“Three militants were captured alive and two others blew up themselves after they were shot,” he added.
The attack began around at 5 p.m. on Saturday with a car bomb. Gunmen then stormed the building after the bomb had destroyed its defenses. The siege ended on Sunday morning.
Shabaab militants attack Somali army base killing at least 8
A Reuters witness saw seven bodies lying inside the hotel.
The explosion destroyed the front of the three-storey hotel and a next door hotel was also damaged. Many Somali officials live in fortified hotels because they offer better security from attack.
Militant group al Shabaab claimed the attack on Saturday. They want to overthrow the weak, UN-backed government and impose a strict form of Islamic law.
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