Hotel attack in Somali capital kills at least 6, including 2 members of parliament, police say

Somalian Islamic extremist group the Shabab stormed a hotel in the capital Wednesday evening, killing at least six people and taking a number of hostages, police said.

The assault was continuing, and some Shabab fighters remained in the Ambassador Hotel, according to police Capt. Mohamed Hussein. The hotel is frequented by government officials and business executives.

“At least two gunmen are still holed up inside the building now,” Hussein said.

See more of our top stories on Facebook >>

Two members of parliament were among the dead, he said.

The attack began when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the hotel’s gates. Fighters on foot then forced their way into the hotel.

The attack comes just before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which extremists often step up attacks in this volatile East African country.

A bloodied body of a suspected terrorist lay outside the hotel, which was surrounded by heavily armed soldiers. Witness Yasin Abdi said he saw security forces escorting some people from the three-story hotel.

Somalia’s elite forces used rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns mounted on cars to fight assailants who took up positions on the hotel’s second floor.

NEWSLETTER: Get the day’s top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

The attack underlines challenges facing the Somali government and African Union forces that are struggling to secure the seaside capital, which has seen a series of attacks by the Al Qaeda-affiliated Shabab.

The terrorist group has been ousted from most of Somalia’s cities, but it still holds a few outposts and continues to launch guerrilla attacks across the country.

ALSO

Iraqi forces press on in Fallouja as concerns rise over ‘human catastrophe’

Israel’s new defense minister represents a milestone for Russian-speaking emigres

Former beauty queen convicted of insulting Turkey’s president by sharing poem on social media

UPDATES:

11:38 a.m.: This article has been updated with an updated death count and additional information.

This article was originally posted at 9:55 a.m.