Three simultaneous explosions heard in Somalia’s capital

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks which comes as new government took office that pledged to fight against Al-Shabaab.

News Keydmedia Online
19 August 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least three consecutive bomb explosions were heard on Friday evening in the Somali capital which was followed by heavy gunfire that lasted for several minutes.

There are reports of an attack at Hayat hotel in the vicinity of KM4 junction by suspected Al-Shabaab militants who stormed the building after detonating car bombs at the gate, according to a witness.

The car bomb explosions were very heavy and I could see smoke in the KM4 area. There is chaos and people are fleeing from nearby buildings," said witness Hassan Osman.

The explosions were heard from far away, and the city's sky was filled with thick white smoke. Somalia's elite police Haram'ad cordoned off the scene and battled against the attackers.

No group has claimed responsibility for the ongoing hotel but the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab has targeted hotels multiple times over the years and killed hundreds of civilians and officials.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks which comes as a new government took office that pledged to fight against Al-Shabaab, the main threat to the country's security.

KEYDMEDIA English