Saturday, February 21, 2015

At Least 15 Killed in Suicide Attack by Islamic Terrorists in Central Mogadishu Hotel

2/21/2015

MOGADISHU – Lawmakers and politicians were among at least 15 people who died Friday in a double suicide bomb attack on a hotel in the center of Mogadishu, that also wounded 22 others, eyewitnesses told Efe.

Responsibility for the attack, which occurred in the Central Hotel, located about 200 meters from the presidential palace, has been claimed by the Al-Shabab jihadist group.

A commander of the radical Islamist organization, Shiekh Mustafa, said in a statement delivered to local media that the aim of the attack was to “eliminate government officials.”

The attack occurred at the time of Friday prayers, so the area was packed with people heading to the mosque to worship.

Witnesses said they heard two explosions.

An official death toll was not immediately available but several witnesses and hospital officials have told Efe that at least 15 people were killed.

On Jan. 22, Al Shabab claimed responsibility for a car bomb in front of another centrally-located Mogadishu hotel where a Turkish delegation was staying to prepare the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Four people were killed in that blast.

Al Shabab, which in 2012 announced its formal affiliation to Al-Qaeda, has carried out a number of attacks against high-ranking politicians and senior government officials in Mogadishu.


source

No comments:

Post a Comment