Deadly hotel siege

Security forces ended an overnight siege by militants at a hotel in Somalia’s capital after a bombing and shootout that killed 23 people, and the government fired its police and intelligence chiefs amid the continuing extremist attacks. The Cabinet action followed a recommendation by Security Minister Mohamed Abukar Islow. It came hours after the end of the attack on the Nasa-Hablod Hotel and two weeks after more than 350 people were killed in a massive truck bombing on a busy Mogadishu street in Somalia’s worst attack. The bloodshed has shaken public confidence in the ability of the military to protect the capital, and many Somalis blame the government of not doing enough. ‘‘We are dying in hundreds now,’’ said resident Ahmednur Hashi. ‘‘Who is going to protect us?’’