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Global

Somali special forces enter hotel compound, battle militants


    MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali special forces broke through the compound wall of a hotel seized by militants in the capital Mogadishu on Friday and exchanged fire with fighters inside the building, police said.

    Islamist group al Shabaab said its followers had taken control of the popular Maka Al Mukaram hotel. At least seven people died in the attack and government officials were trapped inside, said police and witnesses.

    (Writing by Andrew Heavens)