Al Shabaab insurgents attack hotel in central Somalia

MOGADISHU: Explosions and gunfire were heard on Thursday at a hotel in central Somalia used by Somali soldiers and Djiboutian peacekeepers working for the African Union (AMISOM), residents said.

Militant group Al Shabaab said it was behind the attack.

Shopkeeper Farah Noor told Reuters from the town of Bulobarde that al Shabaab fighters had hurled several grenades at the gate of the hotel then gone inside and started shooting.

"We don't know of any casualties. The place is now surrounded by many AMISOM and Somali forces," he said.