MOGADISHU: A hotel in Beledweyne, the capital of Somalia’s Hiraan region, was attacked by armed militants on Tuesday, leading to a deadly siege. Witnesses and relatives reported that gunmen stormed the building while local elders and government officials were holding a meeting.
Federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow confirmed that at least four people had been killed. Government forces engaged the attackers in a prolonged battle, attempting to regain control of the area. According to Jesow, some militants were killed in nearby streets as security forces worked to neutralize the threat.
The extremist group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, asserting that they had killed more than ten people. The meeting at the Qahira Hotel was reportedly convened to discuss strategies for countering Al Shabaab’s influence in the region, according to Abdullahi Fidow, a clan elder who had planned to attend but was delayed by personal matters.
"We first heard a huge explosion followed by gunfire, then another blast," said Ali Suleiman, a local shopkeeper who witnessed the attack. The exchange of fire caused parts of the hotel to collapse.
Al Shabaab, an Al Qaeda-affiliated group, frequently carries out bombings and shootings in Somalia as part of its campaign to overthrow the government and impose strict Sharia law. The attack underscores the persistent security challenges in the Horn of Africa nation.
