Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for gruesome attack

World Today

Al-Shabaab militants have claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on a hotel in Somalia’s capital.

CCTV’s Abdulaziz Billow reports from Mogadishu.

The gruesome attack lasted for several hours.

It started with a suicide bomb blast and ended in a gun battle between police forces and Al-Shabaab militants.

Fifteen hostages were rescued but many others weren’t as lucky. A total of 16 people died as gunmen stormed the hotel.

Nasa Hablood Hotel is located near Mogadishu’s busy KM4 junction, and is popular among politicians and businessmen visiting the city.

It’s now emerged that Hamza Burci, a Somali MP and a State Minister, is among the victims.

Just weeks ago, Al Shabaab carried out coordinated attacks on the Ambassador Hotel in Mogadishu, killing 16 people, including two politicians.

But the Somali government remains committed to its fight against the militant group.

Security is likely to be a top priority in the coming months as the country prepares to go to the polls in August.

For those elections to take place in a safe and secure environment, experts say it is critical the fight against Al Shabaab is stepped up.