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                      At least 12 Dead in Mogadishu Attack

   by Megan Duzor

   Somali militants from the Islamist group al-Shabab set off two
   explosions in the capital, Mogadishu, Friday at the gate of a popular
   park and near a hotel, leaving at least 12 people dead.

   Gunmen also forced their way onto the grounds of the Somali Youth
   League Hotel, known as SYL hotel, leading to a shoot-out between the
   attackers and hotel security.

   ''

   Officials say the dead include security forces and civilians. They say
   several people were also wounded in the attacks and have been taken to
   a local hospital.

   The SYL hotel is located across from the presidential palace and is
   frequented by government officials.

   The Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for
   the attacks.

   The militants, which have links to al-Qaida carry out frequent attacks
   in Somalia, often targeting government officials and African Union
   troops.

   Al-Shabab, which seeks to impose a strict form of Islamic law Somalia,
   has also carried out attacks outside their borders, including in Kenya
   and Uganda.

   The group controlled most of southern Somalia as recently as 2010, but
   was pushed into the countryside by African Union and Somali government
   forces.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/at-least-twelve-dead-mogadishu-attack
   /3210039.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/at-least-twelve-dead-mogadishu-attack/3210039.html