Huge explosion outside hotel in Somali capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber has detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the gate of a Mogadishu hotel, followed by gunmen who are fighting their way inside.

Capt. Ali Ahmed says the suspected al-Shabab extremist group attackers are trying to storm the Nasa-Hablod hotel near the capital's busy KM-4 junction. 

He says guards are still fighting the attackers inside the hotel. There is no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. 

The al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has been waging a deadly insurgency across large parts of Somalia and often carries out such attacks.

GAROWEONLINE