Somalia: Deadly Siege Ends After Assault on Hotel in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Security Ministry for Somalia's Federal government said Sunday that security forces have ended a bloody siege at a popular hotel in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

A bomber rammed his explosive-laden truck into the entrance of the Nasa-Hablood 2 Hotel on Saturday afternoon, militants then opened fire and stormed the building, where they fought during the night.

The first explosion, according to witnesses took place at around 5:00 p.m. local time. About 30 minutes later, another vehicle went off outside the hotel, killing at least 13 civilians and a senior Police officer.

After the double car bombings, at least five gunmen laid a bloody 11-hour siege to the hotel, which is popular with Federal government officials, lawmakers, Security force chiefs and well-known politicians.

Abdulaziz Ali Ibrahim alias, the spokesman of the Security Ministry said security forces have captured three attackers alive while the remaining two militants were shot dead during the overnight operation.

Ibrahim added that the standoff came to an end at 4:00 a.m. before the dawn. Two Al Shabaab attackers, with bodies, found lying in the basement and on the hotel floors, he said.

At least 25 people, including Abdinasir Garane, a former MP, Police commander Col Mohamed Yusuf Nur (Fanah) and the Minister of Interior for Southwest state, Madoobe Nuunow were in the attack.

Saturday's attack came two weeks after more than 358 people were killed in a massive truck bombing on KM5, a busy Mogadishu street in Somalia's worst-ever attack.

GAROWE ONLINE