Somali security forces ended the siege by al-Shabaab militants at
"The security forces have ended the siege now and the gunmen are dead, we've had no incoming gunfire from the building in the past hour," the commander told AFP on condition of anonymity.
He did not release details of how many people died on either side, but said the government would give details on Sunday.
The nearly-destroyed building needed to be cleared of possible explosives. Security forces had used heavy weapons late Saturday to rout out the al-Shabaab jihadists who were in the hotel for a second straight night. They claimed responsibility for the attack.
Civilians trapped
The hotel, a popular place to stay for Somali lawmakers, was filled with people with the siege began. Officials said dozens of people had been rescued, but did not indicate how many were still trapped at the end of the siege.
A witness said that three children between the ages of four and seven were found by security forces in a hotel toilet, where they were hiding. Although in a state of shock, they were later reunited with their family.
Others narrowly missed the carnage. Survivor
"I managed to run to a nearby exit gate away from the gunmen," Ali said.
"The gunmen started firing and I could hear the shots behind me, but thanks to God... we managed to escape."
International indignation
The
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