Mogadishu - Suspected Islamist fighters stormed a popular hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, trapping government officials inside, police and witnesses said.
A huge blast was heard near the gate of the hotel and gunmen were seen inside and on the roof of the building, Major Ismail Olow, a Mogadishu police officer at the scene, told Reuters.
"The hotel is now fully under the control of the militants," he said. "Al-Shabaab fighters are on the top of the building and inside the hotel. It is not easy for us to go in."