The death toll continues to notably rise after an Al-Shabaab Inghimasi attack (Suicide attack) on Tawakal Hotel at the Port City of Kismayo, Lower Juba in southern Somalia.
Despite the heavy presence of the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Al-Shabaab continues to wage deadly attacks especially in popular towns in central and southern Somalia and quickly promoting their operations via their propaganda media outlets.
Latest reports indicate that a total number of injured persons at Tawakaal Hotel have rose to 47, 7 Security Forces killed in action and at least 5 Civilians killed by the terrorists. Security Forces in Somalia killed 3 Al-Shabaab Terrorists who attacked a Seaport City hotel in addition to the one who died in the SVBIED.
The attack begun with SVBIED attack that first struck the popular Tawakal Hotel and was subsequently followed by another attack by armed Al-Shabaab fighters, who stormed the hotel firing indiscriminately from all directions. The first attack took place at around 12pm local time in the busy Port City which was once under the control of Al-Shabaab.
Further reports indicate that the popular hotel is frequented by security forces, local elders and business people. The attack also notably comes at the time the Federal Government has sharply warned business owners from financing the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab, either through extortion or by willingly supporting the Islamist militants. US State Department on Reward for Justice has also listed a number of Shabaab key leaders involved in group’s financial networks.
Read: US State Department, Rewards for Justice Offering Up-to $5 Million on Key Terrorist Leaders Overseeing Financing Somalia’s Al-Shabaab Terrorist Group
