More than 25 killed in Al-Shabaab attack on luxury Somalian hotel

World Today

The death toll from Friday’s bombing in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu has risen to more than 25. Yet to be confirmed reports indicate that Friday’s suicide-bomber was a female Dutch national of Somali origin who worked as a receptionist in the hotel.
The development raised questions of both the increased role of foreign nationals in Al-Shabaab attacks as well as the security agency’s ability to secure Mogadishu. CCTV’s Mohamed Hirmoge filed this report from Mogadishu.

The central hotel often frequented by politicians was hit by a car bomb and a suicide attack simultaneously. Two members of parliament and Mogadishu’s deputy mayor were killed. Over 40 others, including two ministers and the deputy prime minister, were wounded.

“Senior government officials were at the hotel, including the deputy prime minister, government minister and MPs. Two MPs and the deputy mayor had been killed,” Abdirizack Omar, Somali Internal Security Minister said. “The deputy PM, two ministers, three MPs and other government officials were injured in the attack.”

This is the not the first bombing of its kind seen in Mogadishu this year. Last month, Al-Shabaab militants attacked a hotel one day prior to the scheduled visit of Turkish President to Mogadishu. Three people were killed in that bombing.

Authorities promised to strengthen security and carry out investigations into the attack.