Monday November 28, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - Security forces in Somalia's capital have ended a siege by al Shabab militants at Villa Rays hotel, which killed eight civilians and one government soldier. At least 60 others were rescued from the hotel during the attack.
Police spokesperson, Sadiq Adan Ali Dodishe, said six attackers were involved in the attack; five were shot dead by the security forces, while the other one blew himself up with a suicide vest.
Elite security forces battled the militants for 21 hours - from Sunday evening to Monday afternoon - after al Shabab blasted and shot their way into the hotel, popular with lawmakers and other senior government officials.
The spokesman added that five government soldiers were wounded, but no civilians were seriously harmed.
The al-Qaeda affiliated group al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack.
One eyewitness described hearing a "huge blast, followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire."
At least one minister, Mohamed Ahmed, is reportedly injured, while another, Environment Minister Adam Aw Hirsi, told reporters he had survived the attack.