Witnesses say they were 'shaken by a huge blast' followed by gunfire at a hotel popular with government and security officials.
The extremist group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for an armed attack on a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.Witnesses say they heard a blast followed by gunfire at the hotel popular with government officialsAl Shabaab said in a broadcast on its own radio frequency on Sunday that its fighters attacked the hotel Villa Rose, which has a restaurant popular with government and security officials.
"We were shaken by a huge blast, followed by heavy exchange of gunfire," said Ahmed Abdullahi, who lives close to the scene.State broadcaster SNTV said on Twitter that security forces had responded to the attack. "The forces rescued government officials and members of the public who were trapped in the building," the broadcaster said.
The assailants stormed the Villa Rose hotel, which is close to the presidential palace, two police officers told Reuters. Some government officials at the Villa Rose were rescued after using windows to escape, said Mohammed Abdi, one of the police officers.Second attack in a monthLast month, at least 120 people were killed in two car bombings at a busy junction in Mogadishu.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese battery minerals group Jayson lands at St George MiningChina’s Shanghai Jayson New Energy Materials Co will emerge with a toehold stake in Western Australia’s St George Mining as part of a raising to be finalised early this week.
Read more »
Live: European heavyweights Spain and Germany meet in Group EThe 2010 World Cup winners Spain meet 2014 winners Germany in a clash of the European heavyweights at Al Bayt Stadium. Follow all the action from Qatar in our live blog.
Read more »
Mitch Duke header downs Tunisia to keep Australia alive at World CupThe striker’s first-half header proved decisive in a physical Group D match that leaves Australia in second place in Group D with Denmark and France still to play
Read more »
Strikers stun Sixers to claim first WBBL titleAfter dominating the regular season, the Sydney Sixers are subdued by a superb bowling display from the Adelaide Strikers, who record an upset 10-run win in the final.
Read more »
Greens claim the battleground seat of Richmond'Times have changed.' There were ecstatic scenes at the Greens’ after party on Saturday night with Victorian party leader Samantha Ratnam declaring the result part of the “Greenslide” sweeping the state. | _Biancah
Read more »
'Unbelievable': Socceroos claim first World Cup victory in 12 yearsThe Socceroos have secured their third win in World Cup history and their first victory in over a decade - with a glorious 1-0 take down of Tunisia in Doha.
Read more »