MOGADISHU, Somalia

Unidentified armed men stormed a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu following multiple bomb explosions and gunfire, a security official said on Friday. 

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, the official said that a special unit of police have rescued many people from Hayat Hotel which is currently under attack.

Aamin Ambulance service in Mogadishu said at least three wounded people have been rushed to the hospital.

Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group linked with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack and said its “suicide infantry” stormed the hotel located near the headquarters of Somalia’s Criminal Investigation Department.