According to the Somali Guardian news outlet, the militants laid siege to the Villa Rose hotel located near the palace. Somali Security Minister Mohamed Ahmed Doodishe was reportedly injured in the attack.
The terrorist group said that their fighters attacked the presidential palace and were fighting inside it, Somali Guardian said.
"A team of Al-Shabaab fighters attacked a commercial hotel in Bondhere district tonight (and) the security forces are engaging in an effort to eliminate them," national police spokesman Sadik Dudishe said in statement published by The Peninsula.
Dudishe added that authorities rescued officials and civilians from the hotel. The Villa Rose is reportedly a popular establishment for lawmakers.
This is the second attack on hotel in Mogadishu in recent months. In August, militants stormed the Hayat Hotel. Ten people were killed in that attack.
*al-Shabaab is affiliated with al-Qaeda, both are banned in Russia
*al-Shabaab is affiliated with al-Qaeda, both are banned in Russia