Hiiraan Online
Monday, February 23, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) ----A female suicide bomber is responsible for a bombing a hotel in Mogadishu that killed 28 people on Friday, Somalia's security minister said on Sunday.
The Bombing at the Central hotel, one of the most serious attacks in the city has targeted Somali government officials and politicians who were trying to pray at a mosque in the hotel after a meeting.
The attack which seemed sophisticated was an inside job, with the hotel's receptionist blew herself among the officials while another staffer of the hotel detonated explosives-laden car, says Abdirizaq Omar Mohamed, Somalia's security minister.
"Preliminary details from our investigations show that the woman spent at the hotel at night for the first time before the attack." The minister said who cited security lapse at the hotel.
13 staffers for the hotel, including two managers were arrested for interrogations, he added.
Asked if the female bomber was Somali-Dutch, he said she's from one European country, however, he declined to specify that certain country.
"She was a mother of six, all twins---she moved her children to somewhere else before the attack." Mr. Omar said of the bomber.
Mr. Omar has urged hotel owners to ensure the security of their properties, preventing militants from using them to carry out attacks in the city.
Friday's attack has also wounded more than 54 people including the deputy prime minister Mohamed Omar Arteh who was airlifted for medications on Saturday.