Terrorists kill 8 in Somali, including dual British citizens, before hotel siege ended

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – A terrorist siege of a popular hotel in Somalia’s capital on Monday killed eight civilians, including two UK-Somali dual citizens, before security forces ended the attack, said police officials and relatives of the victims.

One soldier was also killed in efforts to retake the Villa Rays Hotel, Somali Federal Police spokesman Sadik Dodishe told a news conference in the capital Mogadishu.

Out of six attackers, five were shot dead by security forces and one blew himself up, he added.

He added that security forces rescued 60 people during the operation.

The siege ended more than 20 hours after the terrorists blasted their way into the hotel in the capital.

According to local media and victims’ relatives, among the people killed in the attack were two British-Somali dual citizens.

The hotel is located in Somalia’s most protected neighborhood, close the presidential palace.

Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.