Terror outfit al Shabaab attacked on a hotel in the in Somalia, capital Mogadishu and killed at least 15 people, including civilians and militants. Police officer Major Ali Mohammed said the gunmen stormed Naso-Hablod hotel and took hostages. He said some hostage had managed to escape.
Police said, the operation has now ended but combing operation is still on for any possible militants, who might be hiding in the building.
United States and other Western countries have been among the biggest donors to Somli government as it slowly rebuilds after years of conflict and prepares for parliamentary and presidential elections later this year. A State Department official in a statement said the United States strongly condemns the terror attack.