At least 15 people have been killed in an attack on a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu that was swiftly claimed by Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab militants, police said. The death toll includes guards, civilians and militants. The assault was led by a suicide attacker driving a car laden with explosives The attack began at 4:30 pm (11:30 pm AEST) with a powerful blast followed by heavy gunfire, an AFP journalist and a witness said. The Naasa Hablood hotel in southern Mogadishu is often used by politicians and members of the Somali diaspora visiting the city.