Somalia hotel attack: 30 hours seige ends, Over 40 dead

In Somalia, at least 40 people were killed and dozens injured after al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked a hotel in capital Mogadishu. The assailants used explosives to gain entry into capital's Hayat Hotel on late Friday night before violently taking control and holding guests hostage overnight. Most parts of the hotel have been destroyed due to the fighting between Al-Shabaab fighters and security forces throughout Friday night and Saturday. Meanwhile, Somali forces claimed that the deadly 30-hour long hotel siege has ended. Police Major Farah Hussein has confirmed to the reporters that Somali security forces had entered the Hayat Hotel building and regained most of the control from gunmen. The Somali Guardian reported at least 40 people lost their lives and over 70 wounded in the Hayat Hotel siege in Mogadishu. Among those killed were former officials, state employees and traditional leaders.

The Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group claimed responsibility. In a statement, the terror group said that the complex was under their control and added they "are shooting everyone". This is the same group which has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s central government for more than 15 years. It was the first major attack in Somalia since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took charge in May this year.India has strongly condemned the attack on Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu and expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims and families of this cowardly act of terrorism. MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, India stands with the Government and people of Somalia in their fight against terrorism.