Audio By Carbonatix
The Islamist extremist group has targeted hotels multiple times over the years, including in February 2019 when it killed at least 20 people in a car bomb and gun attack on a hotel in Mogadishu that lasted for nearly 24 hours.
A month before that, Al-Shabaab killed 21 people in a siege on an upscale hotel in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, an assault that highlighted its ability to expand its network beyond Somalia's borders.
Its last major attack in Mogadishu was in December 2019, when it slaughtered 81 people by detonating a vehicle packed with explosives.
Somalia senior analyst for International Crisis Group, Omar Mahmood, expressed the challenges in knowing whether the relative lull in the group’s terrorist activity this year reflects a capacity improvement on the part of Somali security forces or a change in strategy by Al-Shabaab.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s construction ‘Gross Value Added’ to slow down in 2027, 2028 – Fitch Solutions
13 minutes -
42-year-old man jailed 10 years for defiling 7-year-old boy in Wa
37 minutes -
T-bills: Government exceeds target by 30%; interest rates decline again
60 minutes -
Man jailed 10 years for defiling seven-year-old boy in Wa
1 hour -
Miracles Aboagye GH¢55m probe: NPP activist accuses Deputy AG of misleading public
1 hour -
NSMQ 2026 : Boa Amponsem SHTS makes light work of rivals to reach nationals
2 hours -
ORAL is still working and prosecuting corruption cases – Deputy AG
2 hours -
Deputy AG alleges ‘deliberate campaign’ to misrepresent Adu-Boahene prosecution
2 hours -
NSMQ 2026: Holy Child School returns to nationals after defeating Mankessim SHTS in tie-breaker
2 hours -
The Circular economy: The missing layer in Ghana’s flood prevention strategy
2 hours -
Abla Gomashie secures $3.5m Korean support for Ghana’s heritage
2 hours -
Man jailed 20 years for incest involving 17-year-old daughter in Upper West
2 hours -
Parliament cannot transfer Attorney-General’s prosecutorial powers through legislation – Deputy AG
3 hours -
Glasgow 2026: Amadu Mohammed targets medal after opening victory
3 hours -
Constitution must be amended to create independent prosecutorial authority – Deputy AG
4 hours