Al Shabab gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, resulting in at least seven deaths during a meeting of local elders and officials. The attackers, linked to Al-Qaeda, used explosives to gain entry, claiming over ten fatalities. Government forces are engaged in operations to combat the militants, while a separate incident in Middle Shabelle killed ten, including fighters.
On Tuesday, Al Shabab gunmen executed a deadly attack at a hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, claiming the lives of at least seven individuals, including local elders and their guards who were convening to strategize against the militant group. The attackers utilized explosives to breach the hotel’s entrance, as recounted by a local shopkeeper, Ali Suleiman. The group, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, asserted that their assault resulted in over ten fatalities.
This incident reflects Al Shabab’s ongoing efforts to destabilize the government as they strive to enforce their stringent interpretation of Islamic Sharia law throughout the fragile Horn of Africa. Abdullahi Fidow, a clan elder, detailed the attack’s aftermath, stating, “So far seven people, including clan elders and their guards, all of them my relatives, died in the hotel. Parts of the hotel are ablaze now and it is not clear if the operation is concluded or not.”
Eyewitness accounts indicated that fighting persisted in surrounding buildings, raising concerns that the death toll may increase due to ongoing gunfire and explosions. Following the initial attack, government forces initiated operations to eliminate the remaining Al Shabab militants, according to Dahir Amin Jesow, a local federal lawmaker.
Additionally, a separate confrontation in the Middle Shabelle region resulted in at least ten deaths, including eight militants, as reported by military officer Ali Farah. Coverage by the Somali National News Agency noted that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was present at Mogadishu’s airport to welcome back soldiers injured in the engagements.
The Al Shabab assault in Beledweyne underscores the persistent threat posed by the militant group as they continue their operations in Somalia. The attack resulted in significant fatalities and ongoing violence, with government efforts underway to neutralize the insurgents. In addition, a related incident in Middle Shabelle further illustrates the turmoil in the region, prompting attention from state leadership and military responses.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
