Six civilians, three security personnel killed in Pearl Beach attack- police

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Nine people among them civilians and security forces were killed during the Pearl Beach siege in Mogadishu which lasted into Saturday morning, Somali Police Force has said.

According to a statement from police headquarters, Six civilians and three security personnel were killed. It added that seven militants were involved in the attack all of whom died by suicide or were shot dead by security forces. Ten people were also injured, police said.

The police further said 84 among them children, women and elders and were rescued noting that the militants attacked the hotel at 7.55 local time and the Special Forces ended the siege at 2.am

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.