MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Al-Shabaab siege at an upscale hotel near the presidential palace in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu ended on Friday after 15-hour gun battle, state TV reported.
Militants used car bombs to blast their way into SYL Hotel, a stone’s throw from the presidential complex, on Thursday evening and barricaded themselves inside the compound, triggering a gunfight with security forces deployed to end the siege that lasted for more than 15 hours.
The targeted hotel, surrounded by blast walls and a number of security checkpoints, is frequented by government officials and MPs. Civilians are not able to gain access to the area due to its proximity to the presidential complex and parliament compound.
MPs, government officials and the commander of a special police unit have been confirmed injured in the assault claimed by the Al-Qaeda-aligned terror group Al-Shabaab.
Authorities have not yet commented on the casualties inflicted by the raid and how insurgents were able to access the highly-protected area after months of relative stability in the Somali capital.
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