Al-Shabaab attacks targeted the Somali Youth League (SYL) Hotel and the Peace Garden Park in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. A vehicle detonated at the park entrance, while an additional bomb detonated at the hotel entrance. Following the explosion, al-Shabaab militants attempted entering the hotel. Hotel security guards responded immediately and killed four armed militants instantly. The attack killed 14 civilians and wounded 16 others.

The al-Qaeda linked group has increased attacks in Mogadishu over the past year. In January 2015, al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for another bombing at the SYL Hotel that killed 3 people. Six months later, the group crashed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Jazeera Palace Hotel. The explosion injured 3 civilians and killed 15 others. Last January, al-Shabaab militants executed a suicide attack at the Somalian Beach View Hotel that injured 10 people and killed 20 others.

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud discussed the security measures to protect civilians from al-Shabaab violence in Somalia. He urged security agencies to exchange information with government entities, such as the Benadir Regional Administration in Mogadishu. President Mohamud hopes the collaboration will prevent further attacks and ensure lasting stability throughout the country.

To read more, visit:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/26/at-least-9-civilians-killed-as-al-shabaab-gunmen-storm-mogadishu-hotel
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/02/27/nine-killed-30-injured-after-al-shabaab-sets-off-car-bomb-at-mogadishu_c1302780
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/02/shabaab-suicide-assault-team-strikes-hotel-in-mogadishu.php
http://gokicker.com/2016/02/26/al-shabaab-attacked-another-hotel-in-mogadishu/
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1501447
http://allafrica.com/stories/201603050336.html