A siege at the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, led by al-Shabab militants, has resulted in at least 10 fatalities as security forces engage in a standoff with gunmen. The attack coincided with a gathering of political and security leaders strategizing against the group’s insurgency.
Terror Attack at Hotel in Somalia: Al-Shabab Strikes During Security Meeting
Terror Attack at Hotel in Somalia: Al-Shabab Strikes During Security Meeting
Armed militants launch a deadly assault on a hotel in Beledweyne, resulting in multiple casualties as clashes continue.
Armed militants associated with al-Shabab have launched a violent assault on the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, triggering an ongoing siege that has led to conflicting reports of casualties. The attack commenced with a massive explosion from a car bomb, immediately followed by heavily armed gunmen storming the hotel, which was hosting a crucial meeting of politicians, security officials, and traditional elders discussing plans to counter the insurgency posed by al-Shabab.
Local police confirmed at least four deaths, although eyewitness accounts suggest the toll may have reached as high as ten, with security forces still engaged in clashes against the entrenched gunmen within the hotel premises. A police officer mentioned efforts to corner the assailants, indicating that many attendees had been rescued from the chaos.
Federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow reported that approximately seven gunmen were still in the hotel, underscoring the need for additional firepower to neutralize the situation effectively. Local witnesses described the horrifying attack as marked by a series of blasts and relentless gunfire, transforming sections of the hotel into rubble.
Efforts are being organized to evacuate the wounded to medical facilities in Mogadishu, the capital, for urgent treatment. The strategic location of Beledweyne, approximately 335 kilometers north of Mogadishu, highlights its significance in the fight against al-Shabab, which has been conducting a persistent insurgency in Somalia for over two decades. This violent incident raises alarms about the pervasive threat posed by these militants and the unmistakable challenges faced by Somali security forces in restoring peace and safety.
