Mogadishu, March 28 (IANS): Police in Somalia's capital Mogadishu confirmed on Saturday that five Al Shabaab militants were killed by security forces during a siege at Maka al Mukarama hotel that has now ended.
The Al Shabaab militants who had stormed the hotel on Friday evening are said to have forced their way into the hotel, some disguised as Somali National Army personnel, and engaged in fierce fighting with security forces for more than 16 hours, Xinhua news agency reported.
On Saturday morning, explosions could still be heard in the building as casualty figures were said to have risen. Police reported that five more people died, taking the toll to 20 while several others were injured.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who went on an official visit to Egypt on Friday, condemned the attack and called for investigations into the matter.