Gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, where officials were meeting, resulting in several casualties and a siege that included exchanges of gunfire. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, stating they caused over ten deaths, while local authorities and witnesses reported severe violence and destruction.
On Tuesday, gunmen assaulted a hotel in Beledweyne, a town in central Somalia, where local elders and governmental officials gathered. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants laid siege to the hotel, resulting in multiple casualties, with at least four fatalities confirmed by federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow. Government forces engaged in ongoing efforts to displace the al Shabaab militants, with some reported fatalities occurring in adjacent alleys.
The militant group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that they killed over ten individuals. Abdullahi Fidow, a clan elder, noted that the meeting held at the hotel was intended to devise strategies for countering al Shabaab’s influence in the region. He shared that he narrowly missed the meeting due to a delay involving family matters.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with shopkeeper Ali Suleiman stating, “We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard.” As combat continued, portions of the Qahira Hotel were significantly damaged by the exchange of gunfire and explosives. Another resident, Halima Nur, reported intermittent gunfire as the siege persisted, highlighting the ongoing violence in the area.
The recent attack on a hotel in Beledweyne by al Shabaab highlights the persistent threat posed by the militant group in Somalia. The incident, marked by significant violence, resulted in multiple deaths and underscored the ongoing conflict surrounding government efforts to maintain stability in the region. The attackers’ boldness in targeting a meeting intended to discuss counter-terrorism strategies indicates the challenges faced by local authorities in combating extremist forces.
Original Source: thesun.my
