Photo/Somali Times
At least five people have been killed and more than 20 others injured in a fierce gun battle between al-Shabaab and Federal Government in Mogadishu. Residents of the presidential palace are battling the attackers inside the hotel, and the situation is tight, according to locals. Also inside the hotel were rescued a large number of officials and civilians who were at the time of the attack.
The rescues included MP Mohamud Ali Magan who was reportedly injured in the attack and MP Ahmed Dhagaweyne. Also among those who were rescued from the hotel were an MP and Abdulkadir Ali Omar of the Himilo National Party and the former Minister of Interior and other civilians. Al-Shabaab issued a statement late on Tuesday night at the SYL Hotel near the Somali presidential palace, saying that fighters were fighting inside the hotel.
There are no reports from the Federal Government of the SYL hotel attack tonight.