15 killed in attack on Elite Hotel in Mogadishu

SANAA, Aug. 17 (YPA) –  At least 15 people, including two attackers, were killed and 30 injured when terrorists stormed a popular coastal hotel in Mogadishu on Sunday night, government and police officials said.

Al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for a complex attack on the Elite Hotel situated in the Shangani district of Mogadishu along Lido Beach on Sunday, August 16, Somalia’s National News Agency (Sana) reported.

Citing a security force commander at the hotel, saying that the operation was over and that 205 people, “including ministers, deputies and civilians, were rescued”.

Local sources report that a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosion device (SBVIED) detonated at 17:05 (local time) outside the hotel, at least six militants then began shooting as they stormed the establishment.

Security forces responded, cordoned off the area, and engaged in a firefight with the attackers for several hours.

The hotel is owned by Abdullahi Mohamed Nur, a parliamentarian and former finance minister, and is frequented by government officials, officials and Somalis working abroad.

The blast came following a riot at Mogadishu’s central prison on Monday. Sona said at least 15 prisoners and four guards were killed when Somali security forces quelled the insurgency.

E.M