Somalia suffers another terrorist outrage as Islamist extremists bomb hotel

A SUICIDE lorry bomb exploded outside a popular hotel in Somalia’s capital, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 30 while other attackers exchanged gunfire with security forces.

Two more blasts were heard, one when an attacker detonated a suicide vest.

A siege followed with more than 20 people, including government officials, trapped as the extremists holed up on the top floor of the Nasa-Hablod hotel, close to the presidential palace.

The atrocity came two weeks after more than 350 people were killed in a massive truck bombing on a busy Mogadishu street in the country’s worst-ever attack.

Al-Shabab, Africa’s deadliest Islamic extremist group, quickly claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Among the dead were a mother and three children, including a baby, all shot in the head.

Other victims included a senior Somali police colonel, a former lawmaker and a former government minister.

After the security forces ended the siege it was reported that the attackers had been able to disguise themselves in military uniforms.

Footage from the scene showed twisted vehicles and nearby buildings with only walls left standing.

Mohamed Dek Haji said he survived the bombing as he walked beside a parked car that was largely destroyed by the explosion.

He said he saw at least three armed men in military uniforms running toward the hotel after the bombing at its gate.

Al-Shabab has not commented on the massive attack two weeks ago. Experts believe the death toll was so high that the group has hesitated to further anger Somali citizens by admitting responsibility.

Since the blast two weeks ago, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has visited regional countries to seek more support. A 22,000-strong multinational African Union force in Somalia is expected to withdraw in 2020.