The attack began when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the hotel’s gates.
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“So far we know 10 people, mostly pedestrians and passengers on the road, died and over a dozen were injured, ” the official added, noting that the death toll is likely to rise. The hotel is frequented by government officials and business executives.
“Da’ud was one of Shabaab’s most senior military planners and served as a principal coordinator of (the group’s) militia attacks in Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda”, Cook told reporters in San Diego.
The Pentagon declined to provide specifics about the attack including what USA forces conducted it or what aircraft was used.
Maka Al Mukaram is a major street lined with hotels, restaurants and banks in the heart of the capital that links another major artery, K4, to the presidential palace.
A US airstrike in May on a suspected extortion checkpoint of al-Shabab ended with five militants dead.
Da’ud, who at one point led al-Shabab’s security and intelligence wing known as the Amniyat, “has been responsible for the loss of many innocent lives through attacks he has planned and carried out”, Mr. Cook said. Omar did not give details on when he was killed.
They jihadists are fighting to overthrow Somalia s internationally-backed government. Ten people have reportedly been rescued from the hotel, according to CNN.
The attack reportedly took place hours before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was expected to arrive in the Somali capital as part of a diplomatic visit. “We could also hear sounds of planes flying overhead, and at dawn this morning, we saw the government troops transporting three bodies”.
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The strike comes two months after a similar drone attack in Somalia killed an al-Shabab leader, Hassan Ali Dhoore.
