Al-Jazeera correspondent reported, quoting security sources, that an intermittent exchange of fire continued between the police forces and the gunmen who attacked a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, on Friday evening, and holed up in one of its floors.
The attack, which was claimed by Al-Shabab, has so far killed 30 people and wounded more than 30 others, according to a security source.
Al-Jazeera correspondent reported, quoting the same sources, that the operation, which lasted for hours, was nearing completion, noting that the targeted hotel was frequented by government officials.
The attack began on Friday evening on the "Hyatt" hotel in southern Mogadishu, detonating two car bombs, before the gunmen took control of the hotel frequented by members of parliament and government officials.
MOGADISHU ATTACK: 23 hours passed since the siege began.
gunfire could be heard inside Hayat hotel.
pic.twitter.com/i8WbMOkBvD
— Hussein Mohamed (@HussienM12) August 20, 2022
Somali media reported that Mogadishu's intelligence chief, Muhyiddin Chador, was slightly wounded.
The attack is the most prominent since the re-election of former President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, as president of the country last May.
In addition to the loss of life, the targeted hotel sustained significant damage.
Reuters quoted witnesses as saying that the clashes destroyed large parts of the hotel.
Somali police said they managed to rescue 30 people who were trapped inside the hotel.
And according to a brief statement published late Friday evening by the "Somali Mimo" website affiliated with it, Al-Shabaab claimed the attack, and said that its members were still fighting in the hotel.