Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Mogadishu Suicide Bombing

Posted February 8th, 2012 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
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Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb explosion Wednesday outside a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu.

At least 15 people were killed in the attack and dozens more wounded, including Somali parliament members.

The Hotel Muna, which is next to the Somali presidential palace, is known as a residence and gathering point for Somali lawmakers.

Lawmaker Liban Abdullahi Diriye told VOA a small car full of explosives was detonated at a cafe next to the hotel.

An al-Shabab suicide bomber attacked the same hotel in August of 2010. At least 32 people died in that attack, including six lawmakers.

Somali government forces and African Union troops recently drove al-Shabab out of its last Mogadishu strongholds, but the group has continued to bomb and attack targets in the city.