Three individuals lost their lives, and 27 others sustained injuries in what has been described as a “terrorist attack” at a hotel close to Somalia’s presidential palace on Thursday, as reported by Somalia National Television (SNTV).
SNTV disclosed that the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu was assaulted by five gunmen on Thursday night, all of whom were subsequently killed by Somali security forces, according to information provided by Somali police. The attack resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to 27 others, with numerous individuals, including government officials, being evacuated from the hotel by security personnel. Although SNTV did not explicitly name the group responsible for the assault, Somali police spokesman Colonel Qasim Ahmed Roble informed AFP that the attackers were affiliated with the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reportedly visited wounded victims of the attack at Erdoğan Hospital in Mogadishu on Friday. The US Embassy in Mogadishu strongly condemned the terrorist attack and reiterated its commitment to supporting Somali efforts to combat Al-Shabaab. The US maintains a contingent of fewer than 500 troops in Somalia, aiding the Somali government in its ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also condemned the attack and praised the efforts of Somali forces in neutralizing the assailants. Additionally, the United Nations in Somalia characterized the attack as a violation of the values associated with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.