The Al-Shabaab militia once again carried out a serious attack during Ramadan in Somalia: terrorist fighters stormed a hotel near the presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu. According to the authorities, there are several dead.
At least six people were killed in an attack by the Islamist terrorist militia Al-Shabaab on a hotel near the presidential palace in the Somali capital Mogadishu. “As far as we know, one terrorist, three hotel security officers and two members of the security services were killed,” said police spokesman Qasim Ahmed Roble.
A security force spokesman said around ten people were injured, including a member of the Somali parliament. A large number of people were able to be brought to safety from the hotel.
Terrorists have holed up
The attack on the Syl Hotel began late on Thursday evening. According to authorities, a suicide bomber drove a car in front of the building and detonated explosives. Al-Shabaab fighters then broke into the hotel.
The situation is therefore still not under control. According to eyewitness reports, there was shooting in and around the building and a helicopter was circling at low altitude over the hotel. The terrorists are said to have holed up in the building.
The Syl Hotel has been the target of Al-Shabaab attacks several times in the past. Because of its location opposite the Presidential Palace, the hotel is actually in a highly secured area of Mogadishu. It is very popular among Mogadishu’s political elite.
Attacks in Mogadishu are increasing
The Islamist Al-Shabaab, with ties to the terrorist network Al Qaeda, has been fighting the Somali government, which is supported by the international community, since 2007. In recent years, Al-Shabaab attacks have increased during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
The terrorist militia had tried to regain ground in Mogadishu in recent weeks after being pushed back in recent years.