Al-Shabab Gunmen Attack Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia During Leadership Meeting

Gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, during a meeting of local leaders, resulting in multiple fatalities. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the assault. Government forces engaged in a counter-offensive against the militants. Witnesses described explosive blasts and ensuing gunfire during the siege, emphasizing the deteriorating security situation in the region.

In Beledweyne, Somalia, a hotel was attacked by gunmen amid a meeting attended by local elders and government officials. Eye-witness accounts report that at least four individuals have been confirmed dead. Following the initial assault, government forces engaged in a tactical operation to eliminate the militants, with reports indicating that some attackers had been neutralized in proximity to the hotel.

The militant group al-Shabab asserted responsibility for the attack, proclaiming a higher death toll of more than ten individuals. Abdullahi Fidow, a clan elder, noted that the meeting was intended to devise strategies to counteract al-Shabab’s influence in the area. He expressed concern over his delayed arrival to the meeting due to familial obligations.

Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with one shopkeeper, Ali Suleiman, recounting the sequence of events: a substantial explosion followed by sustained gunfire, resulting in significant destruction at the Qahira Hotel during skirmishes between armed forces and militants. Another local resident, Halima Nur, affirmed that intermittent gunfire persisted as the siege continued.

The attack on the hotel in Beledweyne highlights the ongoing violence perpetrated by al-Shabab in Somalia, targeting government officials and local leaders. The incident raises significant concerns regarding security in the region and underscores the group’s persistent efforts to destabilize the area under its strict interpretation of Sharia law.

Original Source: www.lismorecitynews.com.au