Somalia Security forces concludes Alshabab siege at Mogadishu hotel

Somali forces have killed the remaining Al-Shabab gunmen who stormed a Mogadishu hotel, ending a 30-hour deadly siege late Saturday evening which is becoming the longest siege in the history of Alshabab raids on hotels in Somalia.

Reports say at least 20 people including the owner of the hotel and traditional elders who were having a meeting in the hotel were confirmed dead. Gaphic photos were published with one of the pictures showing the attackers beheading a woman.

Security experts say the building still needed to be cleared of any explosives that may have been planted. The attack was the lattest in Mogadishu since Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in June, and underscored the challenge of trying to crush the 15-year insurrection by the Alshabab.

Alshabab said the attack is a response to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s remarks that his government will end Al-Shabaab presence in Somalia. The international community roundly condemned Al Shabaab on Saturday and sent their condolences to the victims.