14 killed in Mogadishu hotel attack

A bomb attack at the entrance of Wehliye hotel along Maka al Mukarama road has claimed at least 14 lives and left over 20 others injured.

Internal Security spokesman Abdiaziz Ibrahim told journalists at the scene 14 people had been established to have died in the attack which came barely two hours after security forces foiled another terror plot in Zobe area.

“So far I can confirm to you that 14 people have died in the attack and most of them were sitting outside the hotel,” said Ibrahim.

The ambulance service, Aamin said in a tweet 21 people were injured and were transported to various hospitals in the city. It added one of its paramedics was among those injured.

Sources said the vehicle which was parked outside the hotel may have been remotely detonated.

The intelligence agency, NISA soldiers detonated a car loaded with explosives in Zobe area at around 2pm. There were no casualties reported.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.