Security forces end hours-long siege at Pearl Beach Hotel

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somali Security forces have ended the siege on Pearl Beach Hotel at Lido Beach, Mogadishu and neutralized a number of the attackers.

Security officials rescued several civilians who had been trapped in the hotel during the attack carried out by members of the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The government did not however disclose the number of casualties but multiple sources have indicated that at least five people were killed. Several people were rescued by the Turkish-trained Haram’ad paramilitary unit Friday night.

Pictures from the scene showed ambulances on standby as many people were led out of the hotel safely. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack which comes barely two weeks after the group attacked a Ugandan military base in Lower Shabelle region killing 54 soldiers.

Emergency services reported that seven people were injured in the attack that took place on Friday evening and security forces who responded had been battling the attackers.

More details to follow…