It is the deadliest attack in Somalia for nearly two years.
Friday at lunch time, at least 25 people were killed and many seriously injured in the attack on the Central hotel, an upscale hotel in Mogadishu where trouvaientt ministers, MPs and Somali officials.
A resident of Mogadishu, still in shock, said:
'J' was in the mosque when I heard the first explosion. I went out the back door of the hotel but on my way I saw many dead people on the ground. I could not believe it. I am very shocked. I have nothing more to say. "
The attack claimed by the Shebab Islamists took place in two stages. A double blast was followed by intense gunfire inside this hotel, located 200 meters from the Somali president and the prime minister's offices.
Mogadishu deputy mayor and a deputy were killed according to a local source, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport have meanwhile been injured.
