(SomaliNet) Unknown gunmen have launched an attack at Ambassador Hotel in the Somalia capital Mogadishu with Rocket Propel Grenades (RPG) overnight targeting the interim government forces stationing there. Witnesses told Somalinet that unidentified militiamen carried out an ambush attack at the hotel in south of the capital where they clashed with the security forces guarding it. “I heard two explosions followed by several minutes of gun fire around 7:40 pm local time. It appeared an attack launched by militiamen aimed at the hotel,” Ibrahim Ali, one the residents near the hotel said. The attackers were riding a Toyota automobile when they fired two RPGs at the hotel exploding outside of the gate causing no injury. The assailants then escaped unharmed. There is no immediate casualty from the latest attack and no one has claimed the responsibility.
TonightÂ’s attack came hours after a mortar round has slammed near the presidential palace in Mogadishu causing no casualty. It was the first day light attack at the presidentÂ’s house since the arrival of the transitional government in Mogadishu late December last year.
Hotel Ambassador, which is among the largest privately owned hotels in the capital, houses several government officials. Shortly after the incident, security forces cordoned all roads leading to the hotel.