On July 12 local time, a hotel in the port city of Kismayo in Somalia was attacked by a terrorist attack. The incident has caused 26 deaths and 56 injuries. Among the victims were 10 foreigners, including 3 Kenyans, 1 Canadian, 2 Americans, 3 Tanzanians, and 1 British. Another 2 Chinese citizens were injured in the attack. (Picture signature: IC photo)
CNN quoted police sources on the 12th as saying that in Kismayo, about 500 kilometers south of the capital of Somalia, a number of gunmen attacked the heavily guarded Assassi Hotel. These thugs first detonated a car bomb at the entrance of the hotel and then attacked the hotel. (Picture signature: IC photo)
At present, the two Chinese citizens injured in the attack are in stable condition and no life is in danger. The Somali "Shabaab" claimed to have made the attack. (Picture signature: IC photo)
The victims of
included a Canadian journalist and a local journalist who was covering the attack. It is reported that 35-year-old Omar, a Somali Broadcasting Company reporter, was reporting on the scene of the attack. When he tried to take a photo of the attacker, he was shot in the head by the attacker and died instantly. (Picture signature: IC photo)
The Medina Hotel that was attacked is located in the downtown area of Kismayo. Due to the approaching local council elections, many members and officials have recently stayed at the Medina Hotel. After the attack, the security forces exchanged fire with the terrorists for more than four hours. (Picture signature: IC photo)
The Somali terrorist organization "Al Shabaab" issued a statement on its affiliate website, claiming responsibility for the attack, and stated that the targets of the attack were ministers, parliamentarians and candidates in the hotel. But CNN said it has not yet confirmed these claims. (Picture signature: IC photo)
On the 12th, Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kyle issued a statement condemning the "brutal attack" and expressing condolences to the families of the victims. United Nations Secretary-General Guterres also issued a statement condemning the attack and said that "the United Nations supports and supports the people of Somalia in pursuing a peaceful future." (Picture signature: IC photo)
Kismayo was once one of the main strongholds of the Somali Al-Shabaab and returned to government control in 2012. The Somali Al-Shabaab, which is loyal to al-Qaeda, currently controls parts of the southern Jubaland state. The organization has repeatedly launched attacks in Somalia and Kenya. The Kenyan army is a member of the AU peacekeeping force and has been stationed in Somalia since 2011 to combat Al-Shabaab. (Picture signature: IC photo)
