A Somali military official says the country’s al-Qaida-linked group attacked a hotel in a central Somalia town with a suicide car bomb and gunmen, killing at least five people.
Col. Ahmed Ali said a suicide car bomber blew himself up Tuesday in the town of Bulo-burte, paving the way for a gunfight between troops and al-Shabab militants who tried to break through a hotel’s defenses. The hotel is frequented by Somali and African Union officials.
The African Union and Somali troops seized the town last week. Officials said it was serving as a training and supply center for militants.
It’s the second attack in two days. A military official in Mogadishu said a car bomber tried to attack an African Union convoy on Monday but missed and killed only himself.
About Post Author
