Big blast rocks Mogadishu hotel

[Afgun]

A large explosion has rocked a hotel in the centre of the Somali capital Mogadishu and there is ongoing gunfire after what is suspected to be an al-Shabab attack.
The BBC's Ibrahim Aden, in Mogadishu, says the blast hit the Naso Hablod hotel, a mile from the city's airport.
There is no word on casualties. Reports say there may have been a second blast.
Al-Shabab Islamists frequently carry out attacks in the city in their bid to topple the Western-backed government.

• Who are Somalia's al-Shabab?
• Al-Shabab wants IS to back off in East Africa

"They started with a suicide bomb and then stormed in. Now they are inside and the heavy exchange of gunfire continues," police spokesman Maj Nur Farah told Reuters news agency.
Earlier this month at least 10 people were killed and 50 injured in an attack on another hotel in the Somali capital, which was claimed by al-Shabab.
The al-Qaeda-linked group was driven from Mogadishu in 2011 but still remains a threat and frequently carries out attacks in the city.
The government, with the help of African Union forces, is fighting al-Shabab militants in several parts of the country.



24 June 2016

• From the section Africa

Full article Court blow for Zuma in corruption case





Africa highlights: Brexit reaction, Zuma loses bid to stop corruption case

• From the section Africa

Full article Africa highlights: Brexit reaction, Zuma loses bid to stop corruption case





Senegal ex-leader son freed from jail

• 24 June 2016
• From the section Africa

Full article Senegal ex-leader son freed from jail



More Videos from the BBC







<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Father on losing both sons to ecstasy on same night <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> The exact moment Britain knew Brexit was actually happening <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">

• EU referendum: 18-24s digest the result

<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> UK vote on EU: Juncker's one-word Brexit answer to BBC <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Brexit: What will happen to my...? <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">

• Mir Spacecraft: Worst collision in the history of space flight

Recommended by Outbrain





Elsewhere on BBC

• BBC News Woman dies from injuries after Sale collision

• BBC News M1 fatal crash driver 'deleted calls from her phone'

• BBC News Birmingham's Polish immigrants: 'Who will do our jobs?'

Recommended by Outbrain





You Might Also Like

• BBC Autos Without cars, radio would be dead

• BBC Culture The history of the rainbow flag

• BBC Culture Why the sexists get Ghostbusters wrong

Top Stories

Merkel: 'No need to be nasty' on Brexit German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the EU has "no need to be particularly nasty in any way" in the negotiations with Britain about its exit from the bloc.
1 hour ago
Big blast rocks Mogadishu hotel 1 hour ago
Switzerland v Poland 23 June 2016

Advertisement

Features & Analysis









An island apart

How the UK and Europe differ






People v power

Life in China's 'rebel village'






Junk house of Bondi

Hoarders refuse to leave exclusive Australian suburb






'Not a joke'

The Bollywood stars finding fame in Hollywood






Week in pictures

The best news photographs from around the world






Struggling to cope

How the Greek crisis affects children in care






10 things

Mozart lowers your blood pressure, plus more news nuggets






Samosa success

The story of India as told by a humble street snack






Ready to view

How fashion retailers embraced the smartphone





Most Popular popular

• Read selected
• Watched

Most read

• 1 Over 1.5m sign new EU referendum petition
• 2 Glass slide opens 1,000ft above LA
• 3 Reaction to Brexit vote
• 4 The UK's EU vote: All you need to know
• 5 Merkel: 'No need to be nasty' on Brexit
• 6 Six ways Brexit could hit Americans
• 7 EU leaders challenge London pre-eminence
• 8 Viewpoint: Brexit throws uncertain EU off balance
• 9 UK's EU commissioner to resign
• 10 A messy divorce between two Britains

Advertisement

From Around the Web







<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-p"> Reversing Mitochondrial Decay With… Elysium Health on Technology Review <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p"> Did You Know This Is Why She Never Married Anyone? AmericanUpbeat.com <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p"> 13 Most Common Symptoms of Liver Disease Reinventing Aging <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p"> The "Golden Nucleotide" In Aging Research Elysium Health | Elysium Health - Scientifically Validated Supplements <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p"> How Smart Home Technology Helped This Missing Cat AT&T Digital Life <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-p">

• The T-Shirt Of Summer Has Arrived Fast Company

Promoted content by Outbrain





Ads by Google

• Dalessio Chevy Buick
  
  View This Month's Special Offers.
  Limited Time Only!
  www.dalessiochevybuick.com