UK strongly condemns attack on Mogadishu Hotel

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The United Kingdom has issued a statement strongly condemning the Al-Shabaab attack at Hayat Hotel, which has lasted for 22 hours and is still ongoing.

The UK embassy in Somalia said it stands alongside Somali as it “confronts those who seek to destroy what has been achieved,” adding that their “thoughts are with the families of those killed.”

So far, the number of people killed in the attack has risen to 30 after 20 more bodies, including those of  traditional leaders who had held a meeting inside the hotel complex when the attack began on Friday, were retrieved by security forces.

A number of people, including politicians are thought to be still trapped inside the Hayat Hotel, which is usually frequented by government officials.  

A police officer named Ibrahim Duale also told AFP that there had been more than 10 fatalities, although he said that the police will provide official numbers after the attack on the Hayat hotel was completed.

“The security forces will announce when the operation is over. It took a long time because the rescue operation was very difficult,” Duale told AFP. 

According to Dr. Mohamed Abdirahman Jama, at least 40 individuals are being treated at his hospital for injuries sustained from the hotel attack and another mine explosion that occurred in Hamar Jajab, Mogadishu. 

The Harmacad, Turkish trained paramilitary forces, are currently at the scene to lend help to the Alpha group after the siege failed to come to an end nearly a day after the first attack took place.