AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Five people including three civilians were killed when terrorists stormed a hotel in Somalia's capital, police said on Wednesday, adding that all five attackers had also died after an hours-long siege.
A statement by police noted: "Our brave security forces ended the terror attack on SYL hotel rescuing more than 80 people" including government officials and hotel guests.
"The number of the dead we have confirmed is five, among them two members of the security forces and three civilians. Nine other civilians and two soldiers were also wounded slightly."
The attack on Tuesday evening, claimed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab, took place at a hotel in Mogadishu popular with politicians, army officers and diplomats.
A large number of hotel guests had been quickly evacuated by police through the hotel's service doors and emergency exits.
Several witnesses told AFP that the assailants were dressed in police uniform, which allowed them to approach the hotel without arousing suspicion.
They then opened fire and threw grenades, triggering an armed response from security forces guarding checkpoints leading to the nearby presidential palace.
After several hours of siege, police killed the two last attackers holed up inside the hotel, which has suffered three previous deadly attacks, all claimed by al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab posted a statement online saying it had carried out an operation "which happened as planned" but gave no further details.
The police statement said the attack was carried out "by five people who have been sent by the terrorists to threaten the Somali public and all of them were killed".
The SYL hotel is close to the main entrance of the Villa Somalia government complex, a high-security area that includes the presidential palace, the prime minister's office and ministry buildings.
"It appears that the attackers have changed their tactics. It was easy for them to disguise themselves and enter the building," he added.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as the attack began.
"I was close to the hotel when the gunfire broke out and we managed to turn our vehicle swiftly," said Abdukadir Ahmed.
"The security forces around the palace checkpoints were firing heavy machine-guns but we don't exactly know who was fighting who."
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source : Reuters
Wednesday
11 December 2019
2:56:45 PM
993116
Five people including three civilians were killed when terrorists stormed a hotel in Somalia's capital, police said on Wednesday, adding that all five attackers had also died after an hours-long siege.