Fighting is underway between the Somali security forces and militants of the armed group Al-Shabaab in a hotel in central Mogadishu located near the presidential palace and attacked yesterday evening by members of the militia. According to what was reported by witnesses to the BBC broadcaster, at least four people died in the attack, which has already been claimed by Al-Shabaab. The Somali authorities have not yet provided an official assessment of the incursion. Somali broadcaster Radio Garowe reported several civilians rescued by security forces. Among those who survived the attack there is also the Minister of the Environment Adam Aw Hirsi, who through social media has announced that he is “safe” despite the explosions that occurred in the Villa Rays hotel where the siege.
The hotel is located less than 200 meters from the Villa Somalia where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resides and also near a prison controlled by the security services. In September, Al-Shabaab, which controls some areas in the south and center of the country and to which the Somali authorities now refer by the name of Khawarji, a term that indicates deviant pseudo-religious sects, had already attacked a hotel in the city center in September, killing more than 20 people. Militia attacks and military law enforcement operations have intensified since the president declared “total war” against the armed group.
