Dayah Hotel hostages standoff continues

At least 10 people have been killed after twin explosions hit Dayah Hotel where suspected Al-Shabaab fighters are believed holding hostages.

The medical sources said a rescue operation Wednesday ferried 0ver twenty people who were injured in the attack.

Unknown number of attackers is in the hotel holding an unspecified number of captives, said reliable sources.

The government forces have gone into the hotel and there have been sporadic gun battles.

Somali troops were seen carrying in rocket propelled grenades.

Goobjoog News correspondent who went there has confirmed that the assailants are inside the hotel and that joint forces are trying to take the control of the hotel.

“The gunmen are still inside the hotel holding unknown number of hostages so there is vigorous brawling between the government forces and the attackers” he said.

He added “No one didn’t – or couldn’t – say how many people the attackers are exactly holding hostage”.

There are fears of a protracted standoff in which the fighters use the captives as pawns.

Elite military units were inside and around the hotel, and volleys of gunfire continuing.

Al-Shabab group, which routinely targets government and business sites such as hotels frequented by government officials, has claimed responsibility.

“Well-armed mujahideen attacked the hotel and now they are fighting inside the hotel,” according to a report by Andalus radio, which is linked to Al-Shabaab.