| Description |
A mini-bus loaded with explosives detonated at the main gate of Sahafi Hotel (Wadajir/Medina District) in the morning of 01/11 with unidentified number of al Shabaab gunmen storming the hotel as they exchanged gunfire with the security guards. A suicide bomber detonated a second set of explosive inside the hotel about 30 minutes later. NISA's especial operation unit called Gaashaan was deployed to the scene to battle with the militants. The siege lasted for more than four hours after which the AMISOM/SNG forces concluded the operation. The hotel is often frequented by Somali government officials, business executives and it has been also targeted before where two French security advisers were abducted from the hotel by al Shabaab fighters back in 2009. At least 15 people were killed (later estimated at 25), including the owner of the hotel, a parliamentarian and the attackers while score others were injured. Al Shabaab fighters immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. |
