- The attack launched by Islamist extremists on Friday evening at the “Hayat” hotel in Mogadishu left at least twelve dead and 40 injured.
- This was announced by government forces late Saturday evening after the end of a 30-hour siege. The attackers were killed.
- The radical Islamic Al-Shabaab militia had already claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack the night before.
Armed Islamist extremists attacked the Hayat Hotel near Aden Adde International Airport on Friday evening. According to eyewitnesses, large parts of the building were destroyed in the subsequent skirmishes with government forces.
According to their own statements, the security forces subsequently neutralized two of the attackers. At least two other extremists armed with hand grenades and Kalashnikovs continued to resist on the upper floors of the hotel. On Saturday night, the Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the hotel.
Success after 30 hours
Shortly before midnight on Saturday, the commander of the armed forces confirmed the end of the siege to the AFP news agency: “The armed attackers are dead.” At least 12 people were killed in the attack, according to intelligence officials. Most of the victims are civilians. Earlier reports spoke of at least 20 dead.
The anti-terrorist unit deployed on Saturday night was criticized for its leadership. The unit, trained by the US military, had used heavy weapons such as mortar shells and other explosive devices, according to the hotel manager. The management of the operation was handed over to the Cheetah special unit of the Somali police.
Legend:
Somali security forces on duty at the Hotel Hayat in Mogadishu.
Reuters/Feisal Omar
Suicide attacks at the beginning
Immediately before the large-scale attack on the hotel, two suicide bombers in two vehicles blew themselves up. The terrorists were also responsible for a mortar attack at the airport that killed a mother and her four children.
The attacks are the first large-scale act of terrorism since Somalia’s newly-elected President Hassan Sheik Mohamud took office in May. The country on the Horn of Africa with around 16 million inhabitants has been rocked by attacks by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab for years. It controls large parts of the south and central regions.