Islamists launch deadly raid on Mogadishu hotel

Islamist insurgents have launched an attack to tighten their grip on the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing at least 60 people including six lawmakers.

The MPs died when two suicide bombers disguised as government soldiers burst into a hotel in the south of the city and opened fire.

Earlier reports said as many as 15 lawmakers had been killed.

Somali officials believe Al-Shabaab, a group with alleged links to Al Qaeda, was behind the attack.

The government controls only a few parts of Mogadishu. The rest is held by Islamist groups.

Clashes between the military and the insurgents erupted there yesterday, killing 29 civilians and wounding nearly 100.

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