At least 16 people killed and 24 injured in Mogadishu hotel attack Tuesday

At least 16 people were killed including three Goobjoog Media Group staff and 24 others sustained injuries in the Tuesday twin bomb attack at a hotel in Mogadishu.

A car laden with explosives rammed into the front door of Nasa-hablod hotel followed by a gun battle between Somali security forces and Alshabab attackers.

Alshabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. There are still conflicting reports on the number of Alshabab attackers who entered the hotel. Sources said Goobjoog Media Group Chief Executive Office Abshir Ahmad was among the targets of the deadly bombing. Ahmad who was inside the hotel at the time of the attack escaped unhurt. However, three of his security personnel who were waiting outside the hotel died in the bombing.

Somali government said its special forces have killed all the attackers and declared full control in the Hotel. ‘Somali special forces ended the standoff and have killed all the attackers,” said Somali minister of security Abdirzak Omar Mohammed

Mogadishu hospitals admitted many injured people from the attack, including one Goobjoog Media Group staff.

Another devastating attack at the beginning of this month killed 16 people and wounded more than 55 people at Ambassador hotel, blocks away from the Tuesday target.