MOGADISHU: Three bombs that exploded within an hour outside a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killed at least 11 people and the death toll was expected to rise higher.
“At least 11 people are dead and 17 others are wounded. That is what we have carried,” Abdikadir Abdirahman, the director of a private ambulance service told Reuters.
The first two bombs came in quick succession in front of the Jazeera Hotel, popular with foreigners, wounding at least two people, and were followed by heavy bursts of gunfire by Somali security forces.
The third blast took place about an hour later when a bomb went off inside a car that was being searched by the military.
“First we heard a big crash and the security forces immediately opened fire,” said Abdullahi Hussain who lives 300 metres behind the hotel. “After a few minutes another explosion took place and there was more gunfire.”
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Islamist rebel group Al Shabaab has carried out a campaign of attacks over the past two and a half years in Mogadishu, underscoring the huge security challenges the government faces.
Al Shabaab suicide bombers have targeted the Jazeera hotel before, in an attack late last year.
A doctor at the Madina hospital said at least one body and 10 wounded people had been brought in. Officer Ahmad Ali said police had no more information about the attacks.
