Iran Press/ Africa: Militant attacks are common in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.
Last month, at least 120 people were killed in two car bombings at a busy junction in Mogadishu.
Fighters from the al-Shabab armed group have attacked a hotel used by government officials in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, according to police and government officials, with security officials saying the gunmen were wearing “suicide” vests.
Al Shabaab said in a broadcast on its own radio frequency on Sunday (local time) that its fighters attacked the hotel Villa Rose, which has a restaurant popular with government and security officials.
There was no word yet on any casualties in the latest attack claimed by the al-Shabab armed group.
The attackers stormed the Villa Rose hotel, which is close to the presidential palace, with explosives and guns, said police officer Mohammed Abdi on Sunday. It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were, he said.
Some government officials at the Villa Rose were rescued after escaping from windows, said Abdi.
The state minister for the environment, Adam Aw Hirsi, wrote on Twitter that he was safe after a “terrorist explosion targeted at my residence” at the hotel, where many government officials stay. 219
