Somalia: At least a dozen people killed in al-Shabab attack

Islamist militants on Friday attacked a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, leaving at least twelve people dead.

Some 20 others were also wounded in the attack, according to medical sources.

Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attackers set off a car bomb outside the heavily fortified Somali Youth League hotel before moving in.

“One of the explosions took place near the Peace Garden (a park) and the other near the hotel (SYL). I saw 12 civilians killed, but the number (of dead) could be much higher, “said Mohamed Ibrahim, an official of the Somali police.

The hotel, situated near the presidential palace, is popular with government personnel.

Al-Shabab is waging an armed insurgency in Somalia.

AMISOM also suffered a major attack in a camp occupied by Kenyan soldiers killing nearly 100 soldiers.