Attackers in Mogadishu, Somalia, Africa, were successfully neutralized after an attack on the SYL Hotel, a prominent hotel located in Somalia’s capital. Situated in a secure area close to key government buildings, including the Presidential Palace, it is a well-known location among government officials and lawmakers.
The siege, which started on Thursday evening, March 14, 2024, lasted at least 13 hours and ended with the deaths of five al-Shabab attackers who had forcefully entered the building, according to police and security officials.
The assault began with a significant explosion, attributed to a suicide bomber, targeting the hotel’s entrance, followed by gunmen storming the building amidst gunfire.
Al-Shabab, a group with known affiliations to al-Qaeda, claimed via telegram on Thursday its members successfully infiltrated the hotel, marking another incident in their long-standing opposition to the Somali government.
On Friday, police representative Kasim Roble reported the death of three military personnel and injuries to 27 individuals during the assault on the hotel.
Roble indicated that peace had been restored, stating, “The hotel has been secured, and as normalcy in security is reinstated, parliament members and other occupants have begun to return.”
Following the conclusion of the hotel siege, journalists were prevented from entering the premises.
Recently, there has been a noticeable decrease in assaults within the coastal capital, attributed to enhanced security measures. Historically, Al-Shabab has executed numerous fatal assaults on hotels and various venues.
The most recent significant incident in Mogadishu took place in October 2022, resulting in the death of at least 120 civilians due to dual car explosions at a crowded junction.
In response to the threat posed by the militant group, which the United States has categorized among al-Qaida’s most lethal branches, the Somali government is actively engaged in a prominent campaign against these extremists.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vocally committed to an all-out offensive against these militants, who exert control over substantial regions in central and southern Somalia and have been the focus of numerous American drone strikes over the past years.