Regarding the attack on the hotel, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said: “We want to confirm that such terrorist acts does not mean Shabab’s revival, but in the contrary shows clear signs that they are in desperate situation.” Here is yet more indication of their desperation.
“Islamist al Shabaab ambushes Somali military trainees, says kills 30,” Reuters, November 3, 2015:
MOGADISHU Somali Islamists al Shabaab said they had ambushed a group of military trainees on Monday southwest of the capital Mogadishu and killed 30 of them, though the claim could not be independently confirmed.
A Somali military officer confirmed the ambush but said fighting was still going on and that no death toll was immediately available.
The ambush came a day after at least 13 people were killed after al Shabaab militants stormed a hotel in Mogadishu where government officials and lawmakers stay.
The militants, which aim to topple the Western-backed Somali government, and local authorities often cite different numbers of casualties after such attacks….
Al Shabaab’s military spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, said his group had killed 30 commando trainees and seized four military trucks.
“We are pursuing the rest who fled,” he said.