Explosions, Gunfire Reported at Hotel in Somali Capital

Assailants on Friday evening attacked a hotel in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, setting off explosions and firing shots. Islamist militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Witnesses told VOA's Somali Service that they heard two or three blasts near Hotel Hayat at the KM4 junction, a busy traffic intersection.

Initial reports said the assailants attacked the hotel with suicide car bombs