Al-Shabaab attack in Somalia leaves 8 people dead

At least eight people were killed in an Al-Shabaab attack yesterday at Tawakal hotel in Kismayo, Somalia.

The hotel which is frequented by local elders and business community leaders was rammed with an explosive-laden vehicle before militiamen stormed the facility.

Witnesses reported to have heard a loud explosion before the sound of gunfire rocked the port city, 486km south of the capital Mogadishu.

Lieutenant Nyamo Kasaine, the commanding officer of the Second Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Kismayu, said the attack was initiated by vehicle-borne explosive devices.

“The local forces, the Jubaland security forces, were taking the lead in breaking a siege at the hotel, assisted by forces from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia who include KDF soldiers,” he said.

A total of 47 people were left injured during the attack.