Somali security forces end Al Shabaab assault on Mogadishu hotel

Somali security forces have reported that they have put an end to the assault perpetrated on Friday by terrorists of the Al Shabaab group on a central hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, in which at least 30 people have been killed, according to the latest official balance of the Somali authorities.

Despite this, the government has not yet issued a final report with the total number of dead. Al Shabaab, meanwhile, has put the death toll at 40 dead and 70 wounded in the assault on the Hayat hotel, where gunmen barricaded themselves overnight after shooting their way in and exploding charges in the vicinity of the place.

The UN Secretary General’s deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, has “strongly” condemned the terrorist attack and has shown his condolences to the families of the victims. Haq wished the injured a “speedy recovery”.

The EU delegation in Somalia has also spoken out and condemned on Twitter this “cowardly attack.” It has also expressed support for the authorities and citizens “in their quest for peace and stability.”

The assault is unprecedented in recent months and would be the first of this magnitude to be launched by Al Shabaab in the capital since Somali President Hassan Shaykh Mohamud took office in early June.