Somali forces storm hotel held by extremists, free 60 people

By OMAR FARUK
Associated Press

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Officials say Somali forces have stormed a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, where Islamic extremists had been holed up for more than 18 hours after killing eight civilians and trapping dozens in the building, officials said. Police spokesperson Sadik Dodishe said Monday that all six extremists died during the operation at the Villa Rosa hotel, and one member of the security forces was also killed. Dodishe said about 60 people who had been trapped in the hotel were freed. It was not immediately clear whether others were missing. According to Dodishe, five of the attackers were killed by security forces, and one blew himself up. Islamic extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.