Somalia hotel attack: Briton among 26 killed in al-Shabaab terrorist siege
Local police officer says attack lasted more than 14 hours
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Briton was among several foreigners killed in a terrorist attack on a hotel in Somalia, officials have said.
Those killed in the attack in the southern port city of Kismayo also included three Kenyans, three Tanzanians, two Americans and one Canadian, said Ahmed Madobe, the president of Jubbaland regional state. A presidential candidate for upcoming regional elections was also killed in the attack.
At least four al-Shabaab extremists attacked the Asasey Hotel on Friday evening, where community elders and lawmakers had been discussing an upcoming election.
A suicide car bomb detonated at the entrance gate before gunmen stormed into the hotel.
A local police officer said the attack lasted more than 14 hours before troops shot dead all attackers inside the hotel compound.
The British Foreign Office said: “We are in touch with the local Somalia authorities and seeking more information following an explosion in Kismayo.”
The Islamist group, which is allied to al-Qaeda, often uses car bombs to infiltrate heavily fortified targets like the hotel in Kismayo, which has been relatively quiet in recent years.
Canadian journalist Hodan Nalayeh and her husband, Farid Jama Suleiman, died in the attack.
“I’m absolutely devastated by the news of the death of our dear sister Hodan Nalayeh and her husband in a terrorist attack in Somalia today. What a loss to us. Her beautiful spirit shined through her work and the way she treated people,” Omar Suleiman, a Texas-based imam who knew the victim, wrote on social media.
With additional reporting from agencies
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments