The attack began at 12:45 pm local time when a booby-trapped car rammed the entrance of Hotel Tawakal, and it ended around 7:00 pm after the attackers were killed by security forces, according to Somali officials.

“Unfortunately, 13 civilians including students killed, and 47 others were hurt in the terror attack on Hotel Tawakal in Kismayo city. Culprits were four, a suicide bomber and 3 militants, and shot dead in the op by troops,” said Yusuf Hussein Osman, the security minister of Jubaland.

Al-Shabab group claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming its militants had targeted the Jubaland region's administrators who worked from the hotel. (ILKHA)