Somalia: Terrorists attack hotel in Kismayo, 10 killed
Kismayo, July 13 (IBNS): At least 10 people were killed as terrorists attacked a hotel in Somalia's port city of Kismayo on Friday, media reports said.
Several gunmen stormed the heavily fortified Asasey Hotel in Kismayo, about 500 km south of the capital Mogadishu, after detonating a car bomb at the entrance gate, police captain Mahad Abdia told CNN.
Somali-Canadian journalist and YouTube star.Hodan Nalayeh and her husband Farid were killed in the attack.
I’m saddened by the death of my dear friend the Somali Canadian journalist, Hodan Nalayeh, who was among those killed in today's attack in #Kismaayo. She was a bright star & a beautiful soul that represented the best of her people & homeland #Somalia at all times. RIP sister. pic.twitter.com/DGkEcTPED4
— Farhan Jimale (@farhanjimale) July 12, 2019
A candidate for regional presidency, tribal elders, and journalists were also among the dead, Abdia told CNN.
Dozens of people were reportedly rescued from the hotel by security forces.
Terror group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
1)Breaking: #Shabaab claims the suicide operation and ensuing armed assault at Hotel Asasey in the port city #Kismayo, southern #Somalia. Clashes reportedly ongoing. 1st such operation in the city, with tactics similar to those seen in #Mogadishu and #RiversideAttack in #Nairobe. pic.twitter.com/j3a2trJwq3
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) July 12, 2019
Rita Katz, Director of SITE Intelligence Group, tweeted: "Breaking: #Shabaab claims the suicide operation and ensuing armed assault at Hotel Asasey in the port city #Kismayo, southern #Somalia. Clashes reportedly ongoing. 1st such operation in the city, with tactics similar to those seen in #Mogadishu and #RiversideAttack in #Nairobe."
Hassan Ali Khayre, Somalia's Prime Minister condemned "the brutal attack" in a statement Friday, and sent condolences to the relatives of the victims, reported CNN.
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