Al Shabaab Launches Deadly Hotel Attack in Central Somalia

On March 11, 2025, Al Shabaab gunmen attacked a hotel in central Somalia, resulting in multiple casualties and an ongoing siege. Witnesses reported explosions and exchanges of gunfire as government forces responded. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, highlighting the group’s persistent threat to stability in the region.

On March 11, 2025, armed assailants attacked a hotel in central Somalia where local elders and government officials had gathered for a meeting. Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen besieged the hotel, leading to a tense situation as government forces engaged in combat with the militants. Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker, confirmed that at least four fatalities resulted from the assault.

The Islamist militant group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, asserting that more than ten individuals had been killed during the incident. Abdullahi Fidow, a clan elder, indicated that the meeting was intended to discuss strategies for combating Al Shabaab’s influence in the region.

A witness named Ali Suleiman described the attack, stating, “We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard.” He noted that parts of the Qahira Hotel had been destroyed during the gunfire exchange between government troops and the assailants. Halima Nur, another local witness, reported that sporadic gunfire persisted as the siege continued and the situation unfolded.

The attack on the hotel in Beledweyne underscores the ongoing instability in Somalia, exacerbated by the activities of Al Shabaab. As the militant group seeks to establish dominion over the region through violence, local authorities continue to engage in efforts to restore order and counteract their influence. The situation highlights both the peril faced by local leaders and the enduring threat posed by extremism in the Horn of Africa.

Original Source: indianexpress.com