The attackers stormed the Hayat Hotel on Friday night in two car bombs before opening fire. Somalia’s Al Shabaab rebels claimed responsibility. read more “So far we have confirmed that 12 people, mostly civilians, have died,” Mohammed, an intelligence officer who gave only one name, told Reuters. “The operation is about to be completed, but it is still going on.” Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register The explosions sent huge plumes of smoke over the busy intersection on Friday night, and the sound of gunfire still rang through the capital as late as 0700 GMT on Saturday. Explosions were heard overnight as government forces tried to wrest control of the hotel from militants, witnesses said. Somali security officers are seen in a section of Hotel Hayat, the scene of an attack by al-Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants in Mogadishu, Somalia, August 20, 2022. REUTERS/Feisal Omar read more Large parts of the hotel were destroyed by the fighting, they said. Friday’s attack was the first major attack since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in May. Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors statements by the jihadist group. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple Somalia’s government for more than 10 years. It wants to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Hayat Hotel is a popular venue with lawmakers and other government officials. There is no immediate information as to whether any of them were caught up in the siege. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reporting by Abdi Sheikh Writing by Duncan Miriri Editing by Sam Holmes and Frances Kerry Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
