Islamist al Shabaab attacks Somali hotel, kills at least eight

Mogadishu, Nov 1 (ANI): At least eight people were killed the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday morning after two bombs ripped into a hotel and police fought Islamist al Shabaab gunmen who stormed inside the building, police and witnesses said. Al Shabaab, which has frequently launched attacks in Mogadishu in its bid to topple the Western-backed government, said it was behind the assault on the Sahafi hotel. The hotel is often frequented by Somali government officials and business executives and it has been targeted before. Major Ahmed Nur, a police officer, said that a car bomb rammed the entrance to the hotel and was followed by second blast, which a security guard said was a second vehicle bomb. Nur said at least eight people were killed, including the hotel owner, guards and civilians, but maintained the toll could rise. Police were still exchanging fire with attackers inside the hotel about two hours after the assault began. The hotel lies near a busy area in Mogadishu known as