At least 17 people, including 5 fighters, were killed in an attack by the Islamist group "Al-Shabab" on a hotel in central Somalia, DPA reported, quoted by BTA, citing officials.
Most of the victims were civilians, a police spokesman said. Security forces managed to lift the siege of the hotel only after about 8 hours.
Around 20 people were rescued and at least 14 people were injured in the attack. Six of them were police officers, the spokesman said.
At the time of the attack, talks were taking place at the hotel between local leaders and the military, who were discussing stepping up measures against the Somalia-based armed group "Al-Shabab", which is linked to "Al-Qaeda".
Both organizations are classified as terrorist by the European Union, the United Nations and several African countries.
A car bomb exploded in the neighborhood, and gunshots were heard after the explosion, DPA noted.
Armed fighters stormed the hotel after the explosion, the local police chief said.
"Al-Shabab" claimed responsibility for the attack via its radio station, saying a suicide bomber and other fighters were involved.
The Islamist group has been fighting in the Horn of Africa country for years, but has also carried out terrorist attacks in neighboring Kenya and Uganda. In recent weeks, "Al-Shabaab" fighters have stepped up attacks on Somali military bases.
The group controls parts of Somalia and frequently attacks the capital, Mogadishu, targeting politicians, journalists and civil society representatives.