MOGADISHU (Reuters) – An Islamist attack on a hotel in the Somali capital ended yesterday after 25 people had been killed in a near 12-hour siege, police said, underlining the insurgents’ ability to carry out deadly attacks in the heart of the city.
“The death toll rises to 25 people, including police, hotel guards, and residents. The death toll may rise. We suspect some other militants disguised themselves and escaped with the residents who were rescued,” police officer Major Mohamed Hussein told Reuters. “Three militants were captured alive and two others blew up themselves after they were shot,” he added.
The attack began around at 5 p.m. Saturday with a car bomb. Gunmen then stormed the building after the bomb had destroyed its defenses. The siege ended yesterday morning.
A Reuters witness saw seven bodies lying inside the hotel.
