Terrorism attack: al-Shabaab storms Somali hotel, killing at least 15

Originally published on 28 March, 2015 Sign up for a free trial of News Direct's animated news graphics at http://newsdirect.nma.com.tw/Reuters.... ---------------------------------------­----------------------------------------­--------------- For story suggestions please contact [email protected] Somali extremist group al-Shabaab attacked a Mogadishu hotel on Friday, killing at least 15 people. The attack began after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a rear gate of Hotel Maka Al Mukaram, CNN and Reuters reported. Militants then quickly moved in and opened fire on people inside the hotel. One of the militants blew himself up inside the hotel. Elite government forces known as “Gaashaan” stormed the hotel and regained control after exchanging fire with the militants for more than 12 hours, according to Reuters. “At least 15 people died including Somalia’s ambassador to Geneva, and at least 20 others were wounded,” senior police officer Colonel Farah Aden told Reuters. Al-Shabaab said it targeted the hotel because it was frequented by spies and government officials, according to CNN. ---------------------------------------­----------------------------------------­--------------- Next Media Animation’s News Direct service provides daily, high-quality, informative 3D animated news graphics that fill in for missing footage and help viewers understand breaking news stories or in-depth features on science, technology, and health. To subscribe to News Direct or for more info, please visit: http://newsdirect.nma.com.tw/Index.aspx