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Somali security forces have ended a day-long siege by al-Shabab militants at a popular hotel in the capital Mogadishu. The Villa Rays hotel sits in a well guarded area of the capital close to the presidential offices. However, this did not deter the jihadist militants who took around 60 people hostage. Abdisalam Gulet, co-founder and CEO of security firm Eagle Ranges Services, and former deputy director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency in Somalia, spoke to the 麻豆社. He says the attackers "disguised themselves as security personnel driving a vehicle marked as security." "The area they passed through has four check-points and is guarded by the presidential guards" he adds. "There's a belief that al-Shabab are infiltrated within the Somali security system and government institutions." "In Mogadishu there are so many unknown security personnel... driving with the MP, or minister, or high-profile government, so it's very difficult for check-points to stop someone." A police spokesman said eight civilians and one soldier were killed during the siege. According to the spokesman, the five al-Shabab members involved in the attack also all died. (Photo: A view shows a section of the Presidential Palace area close to the Villa Rose hotel, Bondhere district of Mogadishu, Somalia, 28 November, 2022. Credit: Feisal Omar/Reuters)
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