Somali lawmaker warns of worsening security in Mogadishu

Somali lawmaker, Mohamed Ali Duh has warned that the security situation in Mogadishu is deteriorating barely a day after Al-Shabaab fighters attacked Nasa Hablod Hotel where over 17 people were killed.

Duh accused the security agencies of failing to set up effective strategies to thwart insecurity activities.

‘’The security is worsening and no effective measures have been taken by the security agencies and government,’’ said Duh.

18  people were killed on Saturday in the attack on the hotel  that was swiftly claimed by al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab militants.

The assault, the latest in a series by the Islamist group targeting hotels and restaurants, began when a suicide bomber detonated a car laden with explosives outside the building.

Gunmen then stormed the Naasa Hablood hotel and gunfire rang out for several hours, witnesses said, before the authorities declared the attack over.

“The attack started with a heavy blast carried out by a brother who drove a car loaded with explosives. Gunmen fought their way into the hotel, and we believe that casualties were inflicted in the enemy’s ranks,” Al-Shabaab said.

Among those killed in the attacked were three Goobjoog news staff.

Saturday’s assault came just three weeks after another attack quickly claimed by Al-Shabaab on the city’s Ambassador hotel left 10 dead including two lawmakers when a huge car bomb ripped the front off the six-storey building.

Al-Shabaab lost their foothold in the capital in 2011 but continue their battle to overthrow the Somali government and launch regular attacks on military, government and civilian targets like hotels and restaurants in Mogadishu and elsewhere.