Armed militants from the al-Shabab group have attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, leading to a deadly siege that has raised alarm among local authorities and security forces. According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, the assault began with a devastating car bomb blast, followed by armed men storming the premises, resulting in fierce gunfights between the assailants and security personnel.
Initial reports indicated a death toll of four, but witnesses have since claimed that at least ten people have been killed, with ongoing clashes complicating rescue efforts. The Qahira Hotel was reportedly hosting politicians, security officials, and traditional elders who were convened to strategize an offensive against the persistent al-Shabab insurgency that has plagued Somalia for over 20 years.
Beledweyne, located approximately 335 kilometers (208 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, holds strategic significance in the country's ongoing battle against al-Shabab. The security situation remains tense, with police officer Ali Mahad confirming that dozens have managed to escape the hotel as security forces continue to confront the gunmen, who are believed to be cornered within the building.
Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker representing Beledweyne, asserted that around seven militants were involved in the assault and advocated for the deployment of heavy weaponry to help subdue the situation. Eyewitness and shopkeeper Ali Suleiman described the chaos of the attack, recalling a sequence of blasts followed by intense gunfire.
The number of wounded remains uncertain, but efforts are underway to transport victims to hospitals in Mogadishu for urgent medical care. As the situation unfolds, the direct impact of this violent attack reverberates across the already precarious security landscape in Somalia, raising further questions about the fight against extremist groups in the region.
