Unidentified attackers seize control of hotel in Somali capital

Members of the security forces take position after, according to police and intelligence officers, unidentified armed attackers took control of a hotel, in Mogadishu, Somalia, August 19, 2022 in this screen grab from a video obtained from social media. Abdalle Ahmed Mumin/via REUTERS

MOGADISHU (Reuters) -Unidentified armed attackers have taken control of a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, following two car bomb blasts and gunfire, police and intelligence officers said on Friday.

"Two car bombs targeted Hotel Hayat. One hit a barrier near the hotel and then the other hit the gate of the hotel. We believe the fighters are inside the hotel," a police officer who identified himself only as Ahmed, told Reuters.