This was the longest siege by the militant group since it was forced out of the Somali capital in 2011. Al-Shabaab has said it was behind the attack in the busy Maka al-Mukarama road, which has also injured more than 60. US-trained Somali troops known as the Alpha Group were called in to surround the building and end the siege. HUMAN SHIELDSSomalia's information minister said on Friday afternoon that the use of human shields by Al-Shabaab had prolonged the siege. The Maka al-Mukarama road is the busiest road in Mogadishu.

Source: Daily Nation March 02, 2019 03:33 UTC