Witnesses in Somalia's capital say three bombs have exploded outside a prominent hotel, causing an unknown number of casualties.
Government security forces and African Union peacekeepers sealed off the streets around the Jazeera hotel Wednesday, soon after two car bombs went off in quick succession near the hotel gate.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire after the first blast. Later, a third bomb exploded outside the hotel.
A local reporter tells VOA that the bombs and shooting caused a number of deaths and injuries. Ambulances were seen collecting the wounded.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Somali militant group al-Shabab has carried out similar attacks in Mogadishu in the past.
The hotel is located near the Mogadishu airport and the offices of the U.N. Development Program, which al-Shabab attacked last year.
Government security forces and African Union peacekeepers sealed off the streets around the Jazeera hotel Wednesday, soon after two car bombs went off in quick succession near the hotel gate.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire after the first blast. Later, a third bomb exploded outside the hotel.
A local reporter tells VOA that the bombs and shooting caused a number of deaths and injuries. Ambulances were seen collecting the wounded.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Somali militant group al-Shabab has carried out similar attacks in Mogadishu in the past.
The hotel is located near the Mogadishu airport and the offices of the U.N. Development Program, which al-Shabab attacked last year.