Deadly auto bomb attacks hit Mogadishu hotels

At least 25 people were killed and 40 injured when al-Shabab fighters attacked a on the luxury Central Hotel in Mogadishu in February this year.

Six civilians and four militants were killed when al Shabaab Islamists attacked a hotel in the center of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, police said.

Police Capt. Mohamed Hussein said that Somalia’s security forces intervened shortly after the assault began, engaging in a firefight with the gunmen.

The Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to a website said to be linked to the group. Security officials have told local media outlets that four of the attackers have been shot dead.

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) later declared the operations over, saying “attempts to raid Weheliye Hotel thwarted, situation under control… second attack in Siyad Hotel has been brought to an end by our forces”.

An AFP reporter saw at least two bodies outside the Weheliye hotel, where a auto bomb had rammed the front gate.

The hotel is in the center of Mogadishu near the fortified government district, where Shebab insurgents have carried out repeated attacks.

On Tuesday, Shebab gunmen killed 14 workers in Kenya s northern town of Mandera, close to the Somali border.