MOGADISHU, Somalia – Death toll from suicide bomb and gun attack claimed by Al Shabaab on a popular hotel in Somalia has risen to 28 people.
The started on Friday with car bomb detonated entrance of As-Asey hotel, then gunmen stormed into the building where 28 people were killed, police officer Mohamed Hussein said.
Hussein says the siege ended after the security forces killed all gunmen during the rescue operation in Kismayo.
Kismayo, a coastal town lies some 500km south of Somali capital, Mogadishu.
Kismayo has seen deadly terror attack on Friday ahead of regional election for presidential leadership.
A candidate for the regional presidency, tribal elders, and journalists were also killed, he said.
The attack occurred as local officials met inside the hotel ahead of a regional election in August.
Friday’s attack was claimed by al Shabaab. The group’s attack killed 28 people, including journalists, foreigners and prominent politicians.
Al Shabaab, an al Qaeda linked group which wants topple the weak-western backed government of Somalia based in Mogadishu.
