(14-03-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) – An audacious assault by Al-Shabaab militants on the SYL Hotel, positioned directly opposite the Somali presidential residence, sent shockwaves through Mogadishu on Thursday night, security sources confirmed to Halqabsi News.
The attack started with a detonation believed to be a Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED), immediately followed by armed militants breaching the premises. The SYL Hotel, frequented by civilians and political figures alike, has been targeted by Al-Shabaab in the past, making this recent attack particularly alarming.
Security forces engaged in a violent standoff with the attackers, who unleashed a barrage of gunfire and explosions upon entry. Among the wounded is the commander of the Haramcad special police, Abdihamid Fanah, now receiving urgent care at Digfeer Hospital. The incident also left Faysal Carale, secretary of the Banadir regional administration, among the injured.
The vicinity of the hotel also experienced several explosions, believed to be strategically placed to hinder emergency response efforts and escalate the casualty count. The full extent of the destruction and the exact casualty figures remain uncertain as the crisis unfolds.
At the time of the attack, the hotel was hosting several members of parliament, intensifying the attack’s significance. While several officials have been safely evacuated, ongoing gunfire suggests that some individuals remain endangered within the hotel’s confines.
Security forces are actively engaging in operations to neutralize the assailants and free those held inside. As of now, the government has not issued an official statement regarding the attack.
Halqabsi News
