A brutal attack by Al-Shabab militants at the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, has resulted in a tragic death toll and underscores the ongoing insurgency that has plagued the country for decades.
Al-Shabab Launches Devastating Attack on Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia
Al-Shabab Launches Devastating Attack on Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia
Armed militants initiate deadly siege, killing at least ten, as security forces engage in a fierce firefight to regain control.
Armed Islamists have stormed a hotel in the city of Beledweyne in central Somalia, and a siege is ongoing, police and witnesses have reported. The assault, carried out by Al-Shabab, commenced with a car bomb explosion, followed immediately by gunmen entering the hotel, resulting in intense clashes with security forces.
Initial police reports confirmed at least four fatalities; however, witnesses informed the BBC that the number has since escalated to ten as security forces continue their battle against the gunmen inside the Qahira Hotel. Al-Shabab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has conducted a brutal insurgency in Somalia for over two decades.
The attack coincided with a meeting of politicians, security officials, and traditional elders aimed at discussing strategies for an offensive against the group in central Somalia. Situated approximately 335km (208 miles) north of Mogadishu, Beledweyne holds strategic importance in the ongoing campaign against Al-Shabab.
According to police officer Ali Mahad, many attendees have been successfully rescued while operations continue to mitigate the threat posed by the gunmen. "Security forces are tackling several gunmen who are cornered in one part of the building," Mahad noted in statements to the AFP news agency.
Federal lawmaker from Beledweyne, Dahir Amin Jesow, relayed that nearly seven gunmen remain inside the hotel, emphasizing the need for heavy weaponry to subdue the assault. Eyewitness Ali Suleiman, a local shopkeeper, described the chaos: "We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard."
The full extent of injuries is unclear, although reports indicate efforts are underway to arrange flights for victims needing medical treatment in Mogadishu. This attack exemplifies the ongoing violence and instability wrought by insurgent groups in Somalia, further complicating the nation’s pursuit of peace and security.
