At least four people were reportedly killed in an attack by al-Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants on a Somalia capital hotel

Mogadishu — At least four people were killed in an ongoing attack by Al-Shabaab militants who laid siege to a popular hotel in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu overnight, a security agency official told AFP on Monday. The militants attacked the hotel next to the presidential palace with a hail of bullets, causing gunfire and explosions to be heard for more than 12 hours.

Mohamed Dahir, a representative of the national security agency, stated to AFP that the gunmen were confined in a room at Villa Rose surrounded with government forces.

“So far, we have confirmed that the deaths of four persons,” he stated. He also said that several others had been rescued at the besieged location. “Very soon, the situation will return back to normal.”

He also said that some government officials were also among those who were hurt.

Parliamentarians frequent the Villa Rose, which is located in central Somalia just blocks from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s office.

Al-Shabaab was a militant group affiliated to al Qaeda who has been trying for overthrow Somalia’s central administration for 15 years. It claimed responsibility.  

Police say the gunmen entered the Bondhere district hotel around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. A police operation was in progress to “eliminate”.

Witnesses near the scene reported hearing loud explosions, gunfire and more than 12 hours later.

Mahad Yare, a local witness said, “I saw several military vehicles carrying special forces headed towards the hotel. Then, just a few minutes later there was heavy gunfire, explosions, and more.”

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, a 20,000-strong force of military personnel from across Africa, released a statement late Sunday praising the swift security response to the attack.

Villa Rose’s website describes the hotel with its metal detectors, high perimeter wall and other security features as “most secure lodging arrangement” in Mogadishu.

Al-Shabaab is intensifying attacks on civilian and military targets, as Somalia’s newly elected government pursues a policy “all-out war against the Islamists.”

Supported by local militias, ATMIS, and security forces U.S. airstrikesAl-Shabaab has been driven from central areas of the country by the government in recent months. However, it continues to hold ground and, as CBS News correspondent Debora patta reported, that is one of the complicating factors. Efforts to save millions of people who are at high risk of starving to death Somalia’s south is drought-ravaged. 

Retribution was also given to the Somali government by its offensive.

On October 29, two explosive-laden cars exploded in Mogadishu. Gunfire followed. At least 121 people killed Injuring 333 more. It was the fifth-deadliest attack in the nation of Horn of Africa in five years.

Minimum 21 people were killed A siege of a Mogadishu hotel was held in August. It lasted for over 30 hours before security forces were finally able to defeat the militants.

According to the United Nations, at least 613 civilians were killed and 948 were injured by violence in Somalia this year. The majority of this violence was caused by Al-Shabaab-related improvised explosive device (IEDs). These figures are more than 30% higher than last year and represent the highest recorded since 2017.

Al-Shabaab, which the U.S. considers one of al Qaeda’s most deadly affiliate organizations, has been targeted by dozens of U.S. airstrikes. There have been hundreds of U.S. military personnel have returned to the country After being withdrawn from his predecessor Donald Trump, President Biden gave the orders.