Somalia: Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the hotel, an explosion followed by gunfire was heard

The extremist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility today for an armed attack on a hotel in the capital of Somalia.

Al-Shabaab said via its radio frequency that its fighters attacked the Villa Rose Hotel, whose restaurant is popular with government and security officials.

The hotel is located not far from the presidential palace in the center of Mogadishu, where an explosion was heard, followed by gunfire.

There was no information about casualties.

Such militant attacks are common in Mogadishu and other parts of the Horn of Africa country.

Al-Shabaab opposes Somalia's federal government, which is backed by African Union peacekeepers, and is seeking to seize power and implement a strict version of Sharia law.