article_snippet: Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility.
article_snippet: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the attack as a "heinous and inhuman act" in an interview with state-run Radio Mogadishu during an official visit to Egypt.
article_snippet: In a statement, Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said Al-Shabaab's "talk of 'legitimate targets' and 'justification'" exposes "the sham logic behind their lust for terror."
article_snippet: These terrorists contradict Islam and betray Somalia," Islam said.
article_snippet: Al-Shabaab said Al-Shabaab targeted the hotel because Al-Shabaab guests are spies and government officials.
article_snippet: Al-Shabaab has been active in Somalia for years.
article_snippet: Initially, Al-Shabaab goal was implementing a stricter form of Islamic law, or Sharia, by warring against Somalia.
article_snippet: Al-Shabaab has since shifted Al-Shabaab focus to launching terror attacks in Somalia and beyond.
article_snippet: We reiterate again that there will be no safe haven for the crusaders and apostates in Somalia, and that We attacks on the crusaders will continue until the enemy of Allah (is) defeated and Allah law is implemented fully in Somalia," Al-Shabaab said in a statement.