Islamist attack underway at Mogadishu hotel: Somali govt
People flee the scene of a suicide attack that killed at least three people on October 18, 2011 in Somalia's wartorn capital, Mogadishu. Rebels from the Islamist Al-Shabaab group attacked a hotel in Mogadishu on June 9, 2023.
Mogadishu, Somalia
Rebels from the Islamist Al-Shabaab group were attacking a hotel in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Friday, the government and witnesses said.
Attackers targeted a hotel at a beach often visited by officials, according to a government statement.
"The security forces rescued many people from the building and the operation is still ongoing," it said.
Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed federal government for more than 15 years, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and explosions at the hotel on Lido beach, where the government said civilians "were spending time to rest".
"I was near the Pearl Beach restaurant when (a) heavy explosion occurred in front of the building," said witness Abdirahim Ali.
"I have managed to flee but there was heavy gunfire afterwards and the security forces rushed to the area."
The rebels, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, launched a large-scale attack against a hotel at Lido beach in 2020, killing 10 civilians and a police officer.
The security forces took four hours to regain control over the site.
