At least three people were killed in twin car bombings in the Somali capital yesterday that were claimed by Shabaab Islamists, police and medics said, reports UNB.
Following the blasts, witnesses reported hearing gunfire and said the entire area around the Nasa Hablod Hotel 2 had been sealed off by security forces.
The twin attacks came just two weeks after a massive truck bomb exploded in central Mogadishu, killing at least 358 people, making it the deadliest attack in the troubled country's history. The Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabaab claimed Saturday's bombings in a statement on its Andalus radio station, saying its fighters had forced their way into the hotel.
"The Mujahedeen fighters are inside Nasa Hablod 2 hotel where... apostate officials are staying," said a brief statement posted on a pro-Shabaab website, quoting Andalus.