Gunmen from al Shabaab attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, during a meeting of local officials, resulting in at least four dead. Government forces are engaged in a standoff to clear the area of militants, who have claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging higher casualties. The incident reflects ongoing security challenges in Somalia.
On Tuesday, gunmen launched an assault on a hotel in a central Somali town, where local elders and government officials were convening, according to reports from witnesses and relatives. Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from Beledweyne, confirmed that at least four individuals had lost their lives during the attack. Subsequently, government forces commenced efforts to remove al Shabaab fighters from the area, with some militants reportedly killed in adjacent alleys.
The Islamist militant group al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for this violent incident, asserting in a statement that they had killed over ten individuals. Abdullahi Fidow, a clan elder in Beledweyne, mentioned that the purpose of the meeting was to strategize on countering al Shabaab’s influence in the region. He noted, “I was supposed to attend the meeting but got delayed because I was busy with a family issue. The blasts occurred before I reached the hotel.”
Al Shabaab, which has ties to al Qaeda, routinely conducts bombings and armed attacks in Somalia, seeking to dismantle the government and impose its stringent interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Witness Ali Suleiman, a local shopkeeper, recounted the sequence of events: “We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard.” Tragically, the violence resulted in substantial destruction, with parts of the Qahira Hotel reduced to rubble as clashes between government troops and gunmen ensued.
Halima Nur, another nearby resident, reported ongoing gunfire during the siege, indicating that the standoff continued as efforts were made to regain control of the situation. The incident underscores the precarious security climate in Somalia, marked by frequent acts of violence attributed to militant groups.
In summary, a recent attack by al Shabaab on a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, resulted in multiple fatalities and ongoing violence. The siege targeted a meeting aimed at discussing countermeasures against the group, highlighting the daunting challenge presented by such militant organizations in the region. As government forces attempt to neutralize the threat, the situation remains tense and precarious.
Original Source: thesun.my
