12 dead as twin blasts and gunfire rock Mogadishu hotel

At least 12 people were killed and 25 injured Friday as twin blasts and gunfire rocked a hotel and neighbouring park in central Mogadishu, police said, in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants. Two loud explosions went off near the popular SYL hotel and neighbouring Peace Garden followed by more than an hour of automatic gunfire. The hotel and park are located close to the top-security Villa Somalia complex that houses the presidential palace and the prime minister’s office.

Somalia