An Islamic extremist attack on a hotel in the Somali capital on Wednesday killed at least two people, with Somalia’s rebel group al-Shabab claiming responsibility, according to a police official.

CCTV Africa’s Abdulaziz Billow Ali reports that two senior Somali MPs have been killed in the attack.

Two senior Somali #MPs killed in #AmbassadorHotelAttack. Heavy gunfire still heard. #Mogadishu #Somalia. https://t.co/xRrAiJW5DO

— Abdulaziz Billow Ali (@AbdulBillowAli) June 1, 2016

Abdi Aynte, Somalia’s Minister of Planning & International Cooperation said on Twitter that highly-regarded MPs, Abdullahi Kaboweyne and Mohamud Gure were killed.

Capt. Mohamed Hussein says the attack Wednesday evening on the Ambassador Hotel is continuing. The Mogadishu hotel is frequented by government officials and business executives.

Vehicles burn at the scene a bomb attack on an hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The attack took place on the Ambassador hotel, which is often frequented by government officials and business executives. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

The attack began when an explosives-laden vehicle was detonated by a suicide bomber at the gates of the hotel. Fighters on foot then tried to force their way into the hotel.

The attack comes on the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which extremists in the past have stepped up attacks in this volatile East African country.

Story by the Associated Press and CCTV Africa.