The Islamist militia al-Shabaab attacked a hotel near the Somali presidential palace in Mogadishu on Thursday evening, according to media reports. According to witnesses, explosions were initially heard in the evening outside SYL Hotel, which is frequented by diplomats, government officials, foreign nationals and even hosts visiting heads of state. Local radio station Radio Shabelle reported late in the evening that presumably a car bomb had exploded. Shortly afterwards, al-Shabaab reported an ongoing attack on its Telegram channel, according to the news portal Garowe Online. Al-Shabaab fighte…