16 suspects arrested over Mogadishu hotel attack

Vehicles of Somali security officers parked near SYL Hotel, the scene of an Al Shabaab attack in Mogadishu, Somalia on March 15, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

By AFP | 24 Mar 2024

Three people were killed after Al-Shabaab militants stormed the SYL hotel near the highly fortified presidential palace compound on March 14, leading to a siege of more than 13 hours.

Somalia's intelligence agency said 16 suspects had been arrested over a deadly attack on a popular hotel in the capital Mogadishu 10 days ago.

Three people were killed after Al-Shabaab militants stormed the SYL hotel near the highly fortified presidential palace compound on March 14, leading to a siege of more than 13 hours.

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Security forces also killed five assailants in a gun battle, police said after announcing the situation had been brought under control.

"Following extensive investigation, security forces successfully captured the network responsible for the SYL Hotel terrorist attack, arresting 16 suspects including the mastermind Abdinasir Dahir Nur," Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency said in a statement on X late on Saturday.

"Justice will be served in court for all involved," it added.

The hotel siege broke a relative lull in attacks by Al-Shabaab militants in the face of a major offensive against them launched in 2022 by government forces and local clan militias.

On Saturday, fighters from Al-Shabaab also stormed a military base outside Mogadishu, with casualties reported.

Although the army has retaken territory in central Somalia in the military operation, backed by an African Union force, there have been some setbacks.