Death Toll at 20 From al-Shabab Bombing

Wreckage of cars is seen outside the Jazeera Hotel, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Jan. 2, 2014.

The death toll is up to 20 in Wednesday's bomb attacks in Somalia's capital, for which militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility.

The updated fatality figure comes from Somali security officials speaking to VOA's Somali Service on condition of anonymity.

Hospital sources told VOA that another 30 people wounded in the attacks are being treated at Mogadishu's Medina Hospital.

The attacks took place late Wednesday outside a Mogadishu hotel that is popular with government officials and foreigners. A car bomb exploded, triggering gunfire from Somali security forces. A second bomb exploded after emergency personnel arrived on the scene

Somali and African troops recaptured Mogadishu from al-Shabab in 2011, but the group continues to carry out periodic attacks in the capital.

The group claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing in September at a Mogadishu hotel that the group said was being used as a base for foreign and local intelligence.