The African Union Mission in Somalia’s Ugandan Contingent Commander, Brigadier General Kayanja Muhanga, visits the site of a VBIED attack conducted by the militant group al Shabaab in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on October 15, 2017. AMISOM Photo / Tobin Jones

By  Gary  Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS  –   NEW  YORK  –  UN Secretary-General António Guterres “strongly”  condemned a “terrorist” attack on the Hayat hotel in Mogadishu Friday that left at least 21 persons dead.  Somalian authorities said Islamist militants sieged the upscale hotel in Somalia’s capital late Friday setting off bombs and engaging in gunfire with police that lasted for hours. At least 110 persons were injured. Government security forces were able to re-take control of the hotel after a bloody 30-hour gun battle.  The Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, which has ties with al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.  The attack is the first major terror attack in Mogadishu since Somalia’s new leader, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took over in May. The UN Secretary-General expressed “deep condolences to the families of the victims as well as the Government and people of Somalia and wished a swift recovery to the injured, according to his deputy spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General reiterates the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and the people of Somalia in their fight against terrorism and their march towards peace”

-UN Secretary-General deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq

 Al-Shabab is  the most deadly Islamic extremist group in Africa. The United States also condemned the Al-Shabaab attack at the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu.  “We express our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, wish a full recovery to those injured, and commend Somalia’s security forces.  The United States remains steadfast in our support of Somali and African Union-led efforts to counter terrorism and build a secure and prosperous future for the people of Somalia,”   said Ned Price, US Department of State  spokesperson. 

More Than 100 Persons Rescued Including Women and Children by Somali Security Forces

Abdi Hassan Mohamed,  Somali Police Commander (Source: twitter.com/genhijaar)

Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu after the siege ended, Abdi Hassan Mohamed,  Somali Police Commander told reporters that more than 100 persons had been rescued including women and children during the operation. 

“It is shocking that innocent people lost their lives here.  During the operation, the security forces were engaged in rescuing the people one by one and in groups. Now cleaning of the hotel is ongoing. I send my condolences to the family of the residents and soldiers who lost their lives.”

-Abdi Hassan Mohamed,  Somali Police Commander