Al-Shabaab militants storm hotel in Somali, at least 13 dead

Mogadishu: Suspected Al-Shabaab militants on Wednesday set off an explosion and stormed a famous hotel in the capital of Somalia, killing at least 13 people, security officials said.

“A lengthy siege at Ambassador Hotel in Mogadishu ended in the wee hours on Thursday,” said Somali security official Ahmed Barre.

According to senior Somali police officer Captain Da’ud Hajji, at least 40 others were injured in the attack.

“The siege began soon after the attackers detonated a four-wheel vehicle packed with explosives at the building’s gate,” said Hajji.

Highlights:

• One militant was killed in an initial car-bomb attack.
• Total of three terrorists were killed during the attack.
• Two lawmakers of the country were among the deceased victims.
• A nearby hospital was flooded by the victims.