MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) 鈥 Police in Somalia say nine people, including three soldiers, were killed in Friday night鈥檚 extremist attack on a beachside hotel in the capital, Mogadishu.
The police statement said 10 other people were wounded while 84 people were rescued from the hourslong assault that ended early Saturday morning.
Al-Qaida鈥檚 East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for the attack. The Somalia-based extremist group is known for carrying out attacks on hotels and other high-profile locations in Mogadishu, usually starting with a suicide bombing.
The Associated Press that some people were trapped inside the Pearl Beach hotel, which is popular with government officials. The Lido Beach area is one of Mogadishu鈥檚 most popular.
Abdulkadir Adan, the director of Amin Ambulance service, said that 鈥渨hat occurred last night was quite tragic as it occurred in an unexpected setting and at an unexpected time.鈥
Mulki Osman told the AP she and her friends 鈥渋nstantly fled for cover鈥 in the restaurant when they heard explosions and gunfire shortly before 8 p.m. Friday.
