Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants launch two attacks at Mogadishu hotels
Fighters from the Somali militant group al-Shabaab have stormed two hotels in the capital, Mogadishu on Friday evening, leaving several people dead, officials say.
According to witnesses, at least four fighters armed with assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade attacked Hotel Wehelie, which is situated in the popular strategic road of Makka al-Mukarama. It was timed to happen just after sunset and at the same time that many people were in the hotels to break the fast.
Somalia security forces quickly reached the scene and battled the fighters for almost two hours. Security officials have told local media outlets that four of the attackers have been shot dead.
Al-Shabab officials claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had carried out similar attacks in hotels located in the same busy area.