Unidentified attackers seize control of hotel in Somali capital

Unidentified attackers have seized control of a hotel in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu.

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.

Two intelligence officers, who did not want to be named, also confirmed the incident.

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Abdikadir Abdirahman, director and founder of Mogadishu's Aamin ambulance services, told Reuters they had so far carried nine wounded people away from the hotel.

There were no more details available on any casualties. A Reuters witness said that the explosions subsided and sporadic gunfire was still heard from the hotel's direction.

The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors Jihadist group statements.