MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A 22-hour Al-Shabaab siege at an upscale hotel frequented by officials near the presidential complex in Somalia’s capital exposed vulnerability of president’s security, sparking calls for immediate investigation.
Somali security forces ended the attack late on Monday afternoon after nearly a day-long battle with the attackers, putting the death toll at 15.
For the first time in 30 years, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was rushed to safety by African Union peacekeepers after the attack hit Villa Rose Hotel just outside his residence. The Somali leader spent the night inside Halane base, as militants shelled his palace with RPGs, where he attended an investment conference on Monday.
Weeks before the assault, reports indicated that he had received information about the impending attack on his residence and as a result ordered security forces to further tighten security across the roads leading to Villa Somalia. Ministers and other government officials were banned from entering the palace with their bodyguards.
The highly-protected green-zone around the presidential, where the attacked hotel is located, has zero accessibility to civilians. However, the gun and bomb attack raised questions about how armed gunmen were able pass through dozens of security checkpoints and breach the security perimeter around President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s palace.
Former Somali Trade Minister Khadra Duale said Villa Rose Hotel was very secure and highly fortified, having so many levels of security.
“When you consider its proximity to Villa Somalia you can well imagine the level of security. I am absolutely dumbfounded this hotel was attacked. Immediate & thorough investigation required,” she added.
Rashid Abdi, a Horn of Africa political and security analyst with Sahan Research, called for purging alleged Al-Shabaab moles operating within the Somali government.
“Impossible to conduct major attacks in Mogadishu’s most secure district almost every month consistently without fail unless you got insider support,” Rashid said.
“Two IEDs, complex assault are not easy to assemble, direct. Big logistical planning. Purge government of Al-Shabaab elements,” he added.
Former Deputy Spy chief Abdisalan Guled asked how Al-Shabaab suicide bombers and gunmen managed to stage such a daring suicide infantry attack outside the presidential palace, a no-go area for Somali civilians.
“Villa Rose Hotel is where Al-Shabaab attacked last night. It is just a few steps away from Somalia’s powerhouse the presidential palace. Surrounded by checkpoints & security and it has zero accessibility to ordinary people. How does AS get into this place,” Abdisalan said.
The assault, the latest in a deadly insurgency campaign mounted by Al-Shabaab since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came to power in May, underscores that the Al-Qaeda-affiliate is still able to stage attacks inside Mogadishu’s green-zone even as it faces offensive in two central regions and despite claims by the government that it had defeated the insurgents.
Among the key questions raised by Somali intellectuals include how the Somali spy agency, which has recently claimed killing dozens of militants in air strikes conducted with partner forces, was unable to receive intelligence about such an attack while it was able to gather information about Al-Shabaab military camps.
Authorities have yet to discuss details about the second longest hotel siege in Mogadishu’s green-zone since the Western-backed government seized the city’s control in late 2006.
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