‘Brit killed’ in day-long hotel siege as jihadi militants in suicide vests storm fortress with bomb blasts in Somalia

A BRIT is said to have died in a day-long siege in Somalia after jihadi militants in suicide vests stormed a hotel. Mohamed Sayid Hassan Elmi, from Birmingham, was named locally by friends and reporters as among at least four dead at Villa Rose Hotel in Mogadishu. ReutersAt least four people have died in the siege[/caption] Sporadic gunfire and explosions could still be heard after dawn on Monday around the hotel – located near the presidential palace in a heavily guarded area of the capital. “The terrorist gunmen are trapped inside a room in the building and the security forces are about to end the siege very soon… so far we have confirmed the deaths of four people,” security official Mohamed Dahir said. “Several other people were wounded including government officials,” he added. Witnesses described two massive explosions followed by gunfire that sent people fleeing the scene in Bondhere district. The hotel is just a few blocks from the office of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Witnesses said all routes leading to the hotel have been cordoned off by security forces. Extremist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. On Sunday, Al-Shabab said in a broadcast on its own radio that its fighters attacked the hotel Villa Rose, which has a restaurant popular with government and security officials. Scores of people were rescued from the hotel. Abdi Hassan, a government worker who lives near the hotel, said he believes several government officials were inside the hotel when the attack started. Some were seen jumping the perimeter wall to safety while others were rescued, he said. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY… The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.