Al-Shabab militants kill 15 in Mogadishu hotel attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- At least 15 people, including two lawmakers and a military commander, are dead after al-Shabab militants stormed a hotel popular with Somali government officials and business executives.

Gunmen from the al-Qaida-affiliated group used two car bombs to blast into the Sahafi Hotel compound at dawn Sunday and then opened fire, authorities said.

Gen. Abdikarim Dhagabadan, who commanded the operation against al-Shabab in 2011, and parliament member Abdi Mohamed Abtidon were among the victims. Other victims included the owner of the hotel and a photojournalist.

Interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Yusuf Osman said Somali special forces pushed back the militants after several hours.