3 dead after suicide bomber, gunmen attack a hotel housing troops in central Somalia

A Somali army official says three people were killed when a suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a hotel housing African Union troops in central Somalia.

Col. Ahmed Ali said a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Amalow Hotel in Bulo-Burte town before gunmen tried to force their way in.

Gunfire could be heard as Ali spoke by telephone. He said the death toll could rise.

It's the second such attack against the hotel. A suicide car bomber and gunmen attacked the hotel in March, killing at least five people. The Islamic militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack.

African Union and Somali troops seized Bulo-Burte town in early March from the extremists. Al-Shabab has since stepped up attacks against the troops in the town.