[ad_1]
At least 17 people were killed in an attack on a hotel in the center of the Somali capital on Sunday. A car bomb exploded at the entrance to the Hotel Afrik in the center of the capital Mogadishu, followed by heavy gunfire, according to a DPA reporter who was on the scene at the time of the explosion.
The death toll could rise as security forces continue to fight Islamist militants inside the hotel. Police officer Ali Hassan said there was confusion inside and outside the hotel as security forces worked to stop the attack, Agerpres reported.
The forces rescued many people, including army generals, and up to 30 people were taken to hospital.
At least five militants are believed to be involved in the attack, and some of them blew themselves up inside the hotel.
The hotel is frequented by politicians, community leaders, journalists, members of civil society, and government officials.
The Sunni terrorist militia al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a short statement and told its Andalus radio station that its fighters were inside the hotel.
Al-Shabaab repeatedly attacks Somalia. Fundamentalists have been fighting for supremacy for years in the poor country of the Horn of Africa and control much of the south and center.
Presidential elections are scheduled for February 8 in Somalia.
