Al-Shabab gunmen attack hotel in Somalia

At least two African Union soldiers and two al-Shabab fighters killed in the raid, African Union tells Al Jazeera.

Troops from several African Union countries are aiding Somali government troops in the conflict with al-Shabab [EPA]

At least two Djiboutian soldiers and two al-Shabab fighters have been killed in an attack on a hotel used by African Union troops in Somalia, the AU has said. 

The attack happened at the Amalow hotel in Buulobarde on Thursday. Al-Shabab fighters hurled explosives at the entrance before exchanging fire with Somali and African Union troops at the hotel.

Elio Yao, a spokesman for the UN-backed AU mission in Somalia, told the AFP news agency that gunmen failed to enter the compound but had killed two Djiboutians. 

The two al-Shabab fighters “dressed in military fatigues or uniform” were also killed, Yao said. 

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“There was an exchange of fire at the checkpoint, during that exchange the two Djiboutians were killed… the attackers were not able to enter the compound.”

Al-Shabab meanwhile said it had killed six AU soldiers.

“Our well-armed Mujahideen … entered Hotel Amalow in Bulobarde again. They are carrying out the operations, shootings,” Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shabab’s spokesman for military operation told Reuters news agency.

Al-Shabab killed several Djibouti soldiers in an attack at the same hotel in March. The attack involved a 60-year-old Norwegian suicide bomber and at least a dozen heavily armed fighters, al-Shabab said.

Troops from several African Union countries are aiding Somali government troops in the conflict with al-Shabab.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies