Al-Shabab gunmen attacked a hotel in central Somalia during a meeting of local elders and officials, resulting in at least four deaths. The group claimed responsibility, stating more than ten were killed. Eyewitnesses reported explosions and gunfire as government forces engaged the militants, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability faced in the region.
Gunmen have executed an attack on a hotel in central Somalia, targeting a meeting of local elders and government officials, according to eyewitness accounts. Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal politician from Beledweyne, confirmed the fatalities, reporting at least four deaths related to the incident. In the aftermath, government forces initiated operations to confront the militants, with some having been neutralized in adjacent alleys.
The militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the assault, asserting through a statement that they inflicted over ten casualties. A local clan elder, Abdullahi Fidow, indicated that the hotel gathering was convened to strategize on counteracting al-Shabab’s influence in the area. Fidow recounted his delay in attending the meeting due to family obligations, narrowly missing the blasts that occurred prior to his arrival.
Al-Shabab regularly conducts bombings and armed assaults within Somalia, as part of its agenda to dismantle the government and impose its interpretation of Sharia law. Witness Ali Suleiman, a local shopkeeper, narrated the events stating, “We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard.” The violence led to significant destruction at the Qahira Hotel during the exchange of gunfire between militants and government troops.
Another resident, Halima Nur, reported hearing intermittent gunfire as the standoff persistently unfolded, illustrating the ongoing volatility in the region.
In summary, the recent attack on a hotel in Beledweyne by al-Shabab gunmen highlights the persistent violence and instability in Somalia. The assault resulted in fatalities and underscored the group’s ongoing efforts to undermine government authority. Local leaders had gathered to devise a counteraction strategy against al-Shabab, reflecting the community’s resilience amidst such threats.
Original Source: www.lismorecitynews.com.au
