Six civilians killed, 10 wounded in Somalia hotel siege: police

Six civilians were killed and 10 wounded in a six-hour siege by Islamist Al-Shabaab militants at a beachside hotel in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, police said Saturday.

“Six civilians were martyred in the attack… and 10 others were wounded. Three brave members of the security forces were martyred,” the Somali Police Force said in a statement, adding that 84 people were rescued from the premises.

Islamist fighters attacked the upmarket Pearl Beach Hotel on the capital’s Lido beach.

Security forces managed to neutralise the attackers rescuing several civilians.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

It’s been waging an insurgency against the internationally-backed federal government for over 15 years.

Hotels that host high-ranking Somali and foreign officials are often targeted in the country.

– Additional reporting AFP