Mogadishu: Somali Army The siege of a hotel in the capital of Somalia is ended mogadishuPolice and the military said on Sunday that they had freed 106 hostages, including women and children.
At least 12 people, mostly civilians, were killed during a 30-hour battle with al-Qaeda-linked militants after Somalia’s elite armed forces detonated and shot dead at the Hyatt Hotel on Friday evening.
A senior police commander told Reuters that dozens of hostages had been freed during the siege.
Another official had earlier told Reuters that mop-up operations were still underway at the building, which had caused significant damage.
“We are still investigating the explosion of several plastic bags that are scattered around the hotel,” said Mohammad AliA military officer at the scene.
French news agency Agence France-Presse previously reported that all the gunmen had been killed, citing a security commander.
Friday’s attack was the first major such incident since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed took office May.
linked to al Qaeda al shababy The group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than a decade. It seeks to establish its rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The Hyatt is a hotel popular with lawmakers and other government officials.
At least 12 people, mostly civilians, were killed during a 30-hour battle with al-Qaeda-linked militants after Somalia’s elite armed forces detonated and shot dead at the Hyatt Hotel on Friday evening.
A senior police commander told Reuters that dozens of hostages had been freed during the siege.
Another official had earlier told Reuters that mop-up operations were still underway at the building, which had caused significant damage.
“We are still investigating the explosion of several plastic bags that are scattered around the hotel,” said Mohammad AliA military officer at the scene.
French news agency Agence France-Presse previously reported that all the gunmen had been killed, citing a security commander.
Friday’s attack was the first major such incident since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed took office May.
linked to al Qaeda al shababy The group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than a decade. It seeks to establish its rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The Hyatt is a hotel popular with lawmakers and other government officials.