Somali security forces clashed with Al-Shabaab militants after they attacked the hotel (Anatolia)
Somali police announced on Friday the end of the Al-Shabaab attack on the Ciel Hotel near the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu, confirming that "all the militants" were killed after an operation that lasted more than 13 hours.
Officer Abdul Rahim Youssef said, “All the terrorist militants were killed, and the situation has now returned to normal,” noting that “the security forces are carrying out a comprehensive combing operation and conducting investigations” regarding the attack.
Al-Shabaab launched an attack with bombs and firearms on the Seal Hotel, located near the main entrance to the fortified "Villa Somalia" complex, which includes the headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic, the offices of the Prime Minister, and the buildings of some ministries, and which is frequented by diplomats, government officials, foreigners, and visiting heads of state.
Local sources reported that the attack - for which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility - resulted in the injury of several people, including government spokesman Farhan Mohamed Jamali, Abdul Hamid Abdullahi Fanakas, a senior Somali police commander, journalists at the hotel, and some members of Parliament.
For its part, Anatolia News Agency reported from local media that some representatives lost their lives, without official confirmation in this regard.
Eyewitnesses reported that initially explosions were heard in the evening outside the hotel, and shortly thereafter, Al-Shabaab announced through its Telegram channel an ongoing attack on the hotel, which the movement had previously attacked in 2019.
Somali police confirm their control of the situation after yesterday’s attack (Anatolia)
Al-Shabaab attacks have increased in recent years during the month of Ramadan, and last week they attacked 3 neighborhoods of strategic importance in Mogadishu.
For years, the group has carried out attacks in the East African country with a population of 18 million, mainly targeting government, police and military facilities, hotels and restaurants frequented by prominent businessmen and foreigners.
For years, the Somali government has been waging a war against the Al-Shabaab movement, which was founded in early 2004 and is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and has claimed responsibility for bombings that claimed the lives of civilians and members of the army and police.
The central government launched a massive attack against the movement in the summer of 2022, in which local armed clans participated. The Somali army and its allied factions were able to regain control over large areas in the center of the country with the support of African Union forces and air strikes carried out by the United States.
Source: Agencies