This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
On July 12, 2019, a devastating attack shook the southern town of Kismayo in Somalia, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.
A suicide bomber rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the popular Medina hotel, followed by several heavily armed gunmen who forced their way inside, shooting as they went.
According to security officials, at least seven people were killed in the attack, including a former local administration minister and a lawmaker.
"We have confirmed the death of seven people including a former local administration minister and a lawmaker," said Abdi Dhuhul, a security official.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with several dead bodies being carried from the scene and people fleeing from nearby buildings.
"The blast was very big," said witness Hussein Muktar.
Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that mujahidin fighters carried out a martyrdom attack on one of the hotels accommodating the apostate officials of the Jubaland administration.
