Somalia’s security forces battled militant fighters for a second consecutive night in Mogadishu’s Hayat hotel, the largest siege in the country since Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected president in May.
At least 20 people have died since militants stormed the hotel in downtown Mogadishu late Friday. Hayat hotel manager Ismail Abdi said security forces were pounding the building with weapons Saturday, in an effort to contain remaining members of the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, which has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack started with explosions outside the hotel before gunmen entered, the Associated Press reported. About 40 people were wounded, some critically, and admitted to the hospital.
