Huge explosion outside hotel in Somali capital

Image

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber has detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the gate of a Mogadishu hotel, followed by gunmen who are fighting their way inside.

Capt. Ali Ahmed says the suspected al-Shabab extremist group attackers are trying to storm the Nasa-Hablod hotel near the capital's busy KM-4 junction. 

He says guards are still fighting the attackers inside the hotel. There is no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. 

The al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has been waging a deadly insurgency across large parts of Somalia and often carries out such attacks.

GAROWEONLINE 

Related Articles

Somalia: President seeks to consolidate control in Southwest amid leadership contest

To formalize the transition, the National Electoral Commission has scheduled parliamentary and district council elections for April 28.

  • Somalia

    09-04-2026

  • 11:03AM

Somalia: Puntland President accuses federal government of undermining federal system

He reaffirmed Puntland’s commitment to defending federalism and opposing any measures that contradict it. 

  • Somalia

    07-04-2026

  • 05:52PM