Twin car bombs exploded outside a hotel in Mogadishu, killing at least 23 people and injuring 30 in Somalia's capital Saturday, according to The Guardian.
The fatalities included a police commander and a former government minister, local reporter Harun Maruf wrote, according to Sky News.
A suicide car bomb first detonated after being rammed into the gates of Hotel Nasa Hablod Two, which is close to the presidential palace. Then a bomb exploded nearby.
The hotel and a local restaurant, which are frequented by Somalia's politicians and civil servants, were being evacuated.
The extremist group al-Shabab, which has been linked to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the bombings through a channel on Telegram. It noted its fighters were inside the hotel.
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed requested support against the group during his visits to countries in East Africa.
On Oct. 14, more than 300 people were killed and another 300 injured in a truck bombing in the city. No one has claimed responsibility for that attack.
- Death Toll Rises to Over 300 in Somalia Suicide Bombing
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This article has been adapted from its original source.
