A auto bomb and gun attack by Islamist militants on a busy hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu has witnessed the death of no less than 19 people, reports say. Somalia’s security forces early Thursday morning ended a night-long siege by al-Shabab Islamic extremists at the popular “Pizza House” restaurant in the capital.
On Sunday, the USA military in Africa said it executed an airstrike in southern Somalia that killed eight Islamic extremists.
Ambulance spokesman Khalif Dahir said 26 people had been injured.
According to media reports, the militants launched the attack when Muslims were breaking their fast at the restaurant.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the US Africa Command (Africom) vowed to intensify attacks against al-Shabaab militants in order to protect people, saying the militants have taken advantage of the safe haven to kill and maim people. Special forces troops rescued more than 50 hostages, state news outlets reported. Almost 40 people were wounded. “We can’t go home because there is no other ambulance in service”.
Wedneday’s attack came when the restaurants were packed with Somalis eating iftar following a day of fasting.
Among them are foreigners from Kenya and Ethiopia who were employees at Posh Treats, according to Hassan.
The attack was claimed by militant group al Shabab.The bodies of five girls thought to have been killed by the militants were found in the restaurant, said police.There has been no independent confirmation on their accusation.“The extremists, appearing to pose as security forces, then rushed inside the restaurant”.
The act of bravery exhibited by the security forces must be commended and is proof that the reforms being undertaken by the government under the new National Security Architecture Agreement are taking shape and beginning to show positive results.
Pictures taken from the scene showed the bodies of several women in one of the rooms. Hussein says all five attackers were killed.
The U.S. has been conducting military operations and drone strikes against al-Shabaab since 2007.
In the audio, the speaker urged the group’s fighters to escalate their attacks during “this Ramadan”.
In May, Navy SEAL, Kyle Milliken, 38, was killed during a joint operation with Somali forces against al-Shabaab.
Source: Normangeestar
