Somalia: 9 Dead in Hotel Attack

At least nine people have lost their lives following an attack by Islamist extremists at a hotel in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu on Sunday, 31 January.

According to reports, the armed gunmen – who are affiliated with al-Qaeda – detonated a car bomb near the entrance of the Afrik Hotel early in the evening, killing three people.

The al-Shabaab terrorist group-members – which has since claimed responsibility for the incident – then entered the building, and a seven-hour gunfight ensued with security forces during the siege.

According to Sadik Ali, police spokesperson, via Facebook post, once the dust had cleared, nine people died in total – including four of the attackers – and 10 bystanders were injured, 

A prominent former general, Mohamed Nur Galal, was among those killed.

The upmarket hotel establishment is often visited by politicians, security officials and members of Somalia’s parliament, which many assume to be the motive behind the attack.

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