Somali security forces arrest 16 suspects linked to deadly hotel attack

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - The Somali government announced Saturday that security forces arrested 16 suspects in connection with the SYL hotel attack in Mogadishu.

The attack, which began with bombings followed by gunfire on Thursday, targeted the SYL hotel which is frequented by high-profile government officials and business people located near the presidential palace.

Information Minister Daud Aweis said in a statement on X that the suspects arrested include mastermind Abdinasir Dahir Nur and four others linked to vehicles used in the attack.

“Following extensive investigation, security forces successfully captured the network responsible for the SYL Hotel terrorist attack,” the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said in a statement. “Justice will be served in court for all involved.”

The al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group, Al-Shabaab, claimed responsibility for the attack and said its terrorists stormed the hotel following bomb explosions and gunfire.

Security forces ended the siege after nearly 13 hours by killing the gunmen.

Three soldiers were killed in the attack and 27 people were injured, including three MPs, according to police.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups.

Since 2007, al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) -- a multidimensional mission authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council.

The terror group has stepped up attacks since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected for a second term in 2022, declared an "all-out war" on the group.