Due to the presence of the hostages, the security forces cannot use heavy weapons. They also blew up the staircase, making access to some floors of the hotel difficult.
At least 12 people were killed when fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab Islamist group attacked a hotel in Mogadishu on Friday. The gunmen remain holed up in the building and security forces are still trying to neutralize them and free the hostages, with the siege now entering its second 24-hour period.
At least 12 people were killed in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu after al Qaeda-linked militants attacked a hotel. The attackers are holding an unknown number of hostages https://t.co/E9mMGulhNu pic.twitter.com/dtT2ySBGig
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 20, 2022
“So far we have confirmed 12 dead, most of them civilians,” a former Somali intelligence officer, who gave only his first name, Mohammed, told Reuters.
The perpetrators are holding an unknown number of hostages on the second floor of the building. Due to the presence of the hostages, the security forces cannot use heavy weapons. They also blew up the staircase, making access to some floors of the hotel difficult.
Al-Shabaab militants stormed #HayatHotel more than 18 hours ago. Government security forces are fighting their way hard to end the siege in a tough battle. At least 15 people have been killed in the attack. #Mogadishu
(Anonymous witness video). pic.twitter.com/ur9st3Qh2H— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) August 20, 2022
At intervals, as darkness fell, gusts could be heard from the area. According to the testimonies of residents, a large part of the hotel has been destroyed by the explosions and exchange of fire.
Friday’s attack was the first large-scale attack in Somalia since the country’s new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took office in May. Responsibility was claimed by the Shabaab organization, which has been trying for more than 10 years to overthrow the government and establish a state based on Islamic law, sharia.
The Hyatt Hotel is popular with MPs and other government officials. There is no information, however, if any politician was in the building at the time of the attack.
RES-EMP
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