Norway warns citizens to leave Somalia, says situation ‘very difficult’

GOOBJOOG NEWS|OSLO: Norway has warned all its citizens in Somalia to evacuate noting the situation in the Horn of Africa nation was ‘very difficult.’

The Norwegian embassy in Nairobi which is also responsible for Somalia urged its citizens in Somalia to leave and also warned against unnecessary travel to Somaliland.

‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to or stay in South, Central and North-East Somalia, and encourages those who are already in these areas to leave the area,” the advisory read in part.

The warning comes amid a deadly bombing and hostage situation in Mogadishu that started on Friday evening and ran into the better part of Saturday.

At least 30 people were reportedly killed in the deadly attack on Hayat hotel located in the KM4 area. The hotel is a few metres from the main entrance, which is close to a kilometre stretch to the airport.