Somali Prime Minister Vows Accountability After Hotel Attack

Somalia's prime minister is promising accountability after an attack on a popular Mogadishu hotel killed 21 people and injured 117 others.

Voice of America reports that Hamza Abdi Barre said the government took responsibility for what happened in the attack on the Hayat Hotel. After visiting hospitals treating the injured victims, Barre said those who failed to "perform their duties, anyone who fell short, and anyone who infringed will be held accountable." He added, "A repeat of what has happened is not acceptable." The comments aired late on Sunday August 21, 2021 on state television.

The Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on its affiliated online sites, saying its fighters managed to take over the hotel after blasting their way into the building.

The skyline beyond the northern suburbs of Mogadishu in Somalia, seen through a bullet hole in the window of a hotel (file photo).

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