By Hassan Issilow
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, (AA) – Somalia’s al-Qaeda linked Al-shabaab fighters have detonated a car bomb outside Somali Youth League (SYL) Hotel in the capital Mogadishu before storming the building, local media reported on Friday.
Shabelle news network quoted the group claiming responsibility for the Friday evening attack.
“Al-Shabaab set off a car bomb next to a hotel in the capital and said its fighters stormed the building,’’ Shabelle said on its website without giving further details.
Facts about the attack are still sketchy as Somali government officials are not responding to media inquiries.
However, other sources claim that two car bombs were donated in the city, 30 minutes apart.
One car bomb reportedly went off near the Mogadishu peace garden which is popular with families.
The attack began just before 8 p.m. local time on Friday when a car loaded with explosives stopped near the popular SYL Hotel and exploded, according to government spokesman Abdirahman Osman. It was followed by gunfire as well as a second explosion at 8:30 p.m.
The SYL Hotel, which is home to many Somali government officials, is located south of the presidential palace, Villa Somalia. Initial reports that said the attack also targeted the popular Peace Garden, which is behind the hotel, were inaccurate, according to Osman.
Last month, Al-shabaab fighters attacked a seafront hotel and restaurant killing 20 people and injuring several others.
Additional Reporting by The Muslim News
[Photo: A wounded man receives treatment at a hospital after Somalia’s al-Qaeda linked Al-shabaab fighters have detonated a car bomb outside a hotel in the capital Mogadishu before storming the building, on February 26, 2016. Photographer: Nour Gelle Gedi/AA]