14 killed in Somali hotel attack

Mogadishu, March 28

At least 14 persons were killed during an Al Shabaab attack and siege at Maka AlMukarama hotel in Somali capital Mogadishu, which lasted for more than 16 hours, a government official said on Saturday.

"We can officially confirm that over 14 persons died in the attack on Friday, including four security officials and Somali ambassador to Switzerland, Yusu Bari Bari, and a lady consultant for the ministry of finance. Dozens of others were injured and are receiving treatment in various hospitals in the city," Somali Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir said.

Hayir said there were over 70 people, including government officials, attending separate meetings at the time of the attack, and about 50 people were rescued, according to Xinhua.

One group, the minister said was a team of doctors holding meetings in the hotel while the other was government officials from the ministry of commerce.

"I call upon all Somali people to work with the security forces to ensure the lives of innocent people are protected," Hayir said.

The attack came barely a month after Al Shabaab targeted Central Hotel in Mogadishu, killing 28 people and wounding over 50. — IANS