Minister, 15 others killed in Somalia hotel attack

At least 16 people, including a state minister, were killed in an attack by Al-Shabaab militants on a hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, an official said on Sunday.

More bodies, including of State Environment Affairs's Minister Bur'i Mohamed Hamza, were found from the debris of the hotel, Xinhua news agency quoted Internal Security Ministry spokesman Abdikamil Mo' allim Shukri as saying.

More than 30 others were injured in the attack, he said.

Twin explosions rocked the Nasa-Hablod Hotel in Mogadishu on Saturday and Al-Shabaab militants stormed the hotel frequented by politicians.

Somalia's security forces have retaken the hotel after gunfire.

Somalia's Islamist group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the latest in a series of attacks by its militants on hotels in Mogadishu.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has condemned the assualt and vowed continued efforts to pacify the country.

"This coward attack was aimed at inflicting fear among Somalis and discourages them from supporting the government," President Mohamoud said.

Al-Shabaab militants, fighting to topple the Somali government, frequently carry out deadly attacks in Mogadishu.

Early this month, at least 10 people were killed and dozens injured in an Al-Shabaab attack on another hotel in Mogadishu.

--IANS

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