Fidayeen Attackers, Hostage Situation: 7 Similarities Between 26/11 Mumbai & Somalia Terror Attacks

In both the cases, seven star hotels were targeted by the attackers who held people hostage and aimed at senior officials in the security forces.

Security forces patrol near the Hayat Hotel (left), 26/11 Mumbai attacks (right)

A hotel was attacked by terrorist group Al-Shabab on Friday in the Somali capital of Mogadishu and took the control of the building which triggered intense gunfight between the security forces and gunmen of the jihadist group that claimed lives of eight civillians so far. 

"The security forces continued to neutralise terrorists who have been cordoned inside a room in the hotel building, most of the people were rescued but at least eight civilians were confirmed dead so far," said the security commander of the hotel, Mohamed Abdikadir, reported ANI.

The situation in Mogadishu’s Hayat Hotel seems similar to the situation in Mumbai when on November 26, 2008, heavily armed terrorists entered Mumbai through sea-route from Paksitan and caused a large scale mayhem. 

Here are seven similarities between the current situation in Mogadishu and the then situation in Mumbai. 

1. Attackers are Fidayeens, they have come to die: In both the cases, fidayeen attackers or suicide bombers caused the assault which means that they have not come just to cause harm to other people’s lives and properties but their own life too. 
2. Seven star hotels have been targeted: The point of target in both the cities have been upscale seven-star hotels. In Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks, the Taj Hotel and Oberoi Hotel in Nariman point were one of the main targets.  
3. Explosives have been used: Explosives have been used at both the places. The assault on the hotel building in the capital Mogadishu came after two car bomb blasts and gunfire. Bomb blasts had also taken place at several spots in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks. 
4. Terrorists have come with enough arms and ammunition to prolong the attack for several hours: The attacks in Mumbai and the hostage situation could be brought under control by the police after several hours as happened in Mogadishu earlier this day. 
5. Senior police officers have been targeted: In both the attack, senior police officers had been the target of terrorists. During the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the then chief if Anti-Terrorism Squad, Hemant Karkare was killed during the action. 
6. Hostage situation: People had been taken hostage during both the attacks in Mumbai and Mogadishu. During Mumbai 26/11 attacks, people were taken hostage in Taj Hotel and Oberoi Hotel while in Mogadishu, Hyat hotel was the target point.
7. Well planned conspiracy with minute details of the target: One of the main highlights of both the attacks has been that it was a well planned conspiracy by the terrorists who worked out on the minute details of the target before executing their plan.