At least 10 killed in Al-Shabaab attack on Mogadishu hotel

At least 10 killed in Al-Shabaab attack on Mogadishu hotel

At least 10 people have been killed after Al-Shabaab gunmen stormed Hotel Hayat in the capital Mogadishu on Friday evening, according to local media sources.

Dozens of others have been injured in the attack and were rushed to hospitals.

Among the injured was the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) Banadir Regional Commander, Muhyadin Warba Shador who reportedly suffered a minor injury on his leg.

Hotel Hayat is frequented by government officials.

The death toll is likely to increase as security forces continue to battle gunmen holed up inside the hotel and sporadic gunfire and large explosions could still be heard.

Al-Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is the first major attack in Mogadishu by the group since the election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as Somalia’s president in May.