AU condemns Somalia hotel attack

The Africa Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) has condemned Sunday's attack on a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens.

Two car bombs exploded at the main gate of the Sahafi Hotel in the early morning, after that attackers stormed the hotel, exchanging gunfire with security guards.

A suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the hotel.

The Somali troops and AU forces later arrived at the scene and took control of the situation.

The Islamist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Those killed in the attack included former Army Chief of Staff Abdikarim Dhega-badan, parliamentarian Mohamed Abdi Abtidoon, the owner of the hotel Abdirashid Ilkayte and freelance photographer Mustaf Abdi.

In a statement issued in Mogadishu on Monday, AMISOM commended the "fast and professional response" by the Somali security forces that "enabled timely control of the situation".

"AMISOM reiterates the need for continued cooperation and support to the government of Somalia and its troops, to stop these acts of terror perpetuated on the Somali people by Al-Shabaab," it said.

Somali President Hassan Skeikh Mohamud also condemned the attack, vowing to wipe out Al-Shabaab militants and improving security in the country.

The National Union of Somali Journalists condemned the attack and urged journalists to "stay away from scenes of bombing attacks for their safety".

The hotel is frequented by Somali government officials and business executives and it has been targeted before. Two French security advisers were abducted from the hotel in 2009. Endit