Somalia: Twin bombings at Mogadishu hotels, mortar barrage [More Details]

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 10, 2015 (Garowe Online)-At least five people have been reported killed in twin car bomb attacks on two hotels in Mogadishu at sunset when Muslims break Ramadan fast, Garowe Online reports.

One of the hotels-Siyad- is situated a few kilometers away from the heavily fortified compound, Villa Somalia while a car packed with explosives and gunmen targeted Weheliye hotel on Maka Al Mukarama road.

Two suicide bombers detonated explosive laden cars, with gunmen seen breaking their way into the hotels.

The wounded, estimated to be 10 have been admitted to Mogadishu hospitals for treatment.

Our correspondent says, the militants are still laying siege to Siyad hotel, just near the presidential palace.

Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the deadly car bomb attacks via pro-militant media.

Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister for National Security Abdirizak Mohamed said on his twitter handle that seven Al Shabaab fighters were killed in Weheliye rampage.  

Low morale security forces and negligent guards of hotels are blamed for such infiltrations.

Meanwhile, residents in neighborhoods near Adan Adde International airport said, a barrage of mortar rounds were landing on to Mogadishu’s seaside airport afterwards.

No casualties have been released to the media yet.

Though situation is under control, gunmen are firing shots inside Siyad hotel, with hostages might have been holed up.

Al Shabaab has honed suicide bombings, military-style ambushes and planned assassinations since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Somali government forces aided by African union peacekeepers dislodged militants from Mogadishu in 2011. 

GAROWE ONLINE