MOGADISHU: Somalia’s government said on Saturday that 12 Shebab militants were killed in Friday evening’s raids on two heavily-fortified Mogadishu hotels.

Internal Security Minister Abdirasak Omar Mohamed told reporters that “it was only them (the attackers) who died” in the coordinated suicide strikes.

“The violent elements attacked the Weheliye and Siyaad hotels in order to disrupt people from breaking their fast in peace. Seven attackers were involved in the hotel Weheliye attack while five attackers were involved in the Siyaad hotel, and all of them were killed,” he said.

However a statement from the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, said the raids “resulted in the death and injuries of civilians, members of the security forces, AMISOM (African Union) troops and government officials”.

Security sources said late on Friday at least five people died, and witnesses said at least a dozen people were wounded. The evening also saw mortar rounds fired at Mogadishu’s former main football stadium, now a key base for African Union troops.

The two hotels are both fortified and heavily guarded, and are popular with lawmakers from the nearby parliament, as well as government workers and businessmen.

Shebab insurgents have carried out repeated attacks in the area, and messages posted on websites close to the Al Qaeda-linked group said the Islamists claimed responsibility for the hotel raids.Shebab attacks seek to counter claims that they are close to defeat after losing territory in the face of an AU and Somali government offensive and regular US drone strikes against their leaders as well as facing defections.

Mogadishu was quiet early on Saturday, with road traffic gradually starting to use the road where the attacked hotels are located. The area was however littered with the debris of destroyed vehicles, electrical and telephone wires as well as dust and tree branches.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2015

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