At Least 15 people killed in al-Shabab hotel siege in Mogadishu

At least 15 people have been killed and over a dozen others wounded after heavily armed suspected al-Shabaab fighters stormed a hotel near Mogadishu’s airport. According to police officials, an unknown number of Al-Shabab fighters forced their way into Hayat Hotel at the strategic K-4 junction in Mogadishu.

Among those injured in the attack are two security officers who reportedly sustained minor injuries. Police said attackers detonated two explosives outside the hotel, before entering the building and opening fire.

In recent weeks fighters affiliated with the group have also attacked targets along the Somalia-Ethiopia border, which has raised concerns about a possible new strategy by Al-Shabab.

The attack on Friday marks the first in the capital by the group since Somalia’s new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was elected in May.