Al Shabab Gunmen Attack Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, Leaving Seven Dead
Al Shabab gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, on Tuesday, killing at least seven people during a meeting of local elders and officials. The militants used explosives to breach the entrance and claimed to have killed over ten people. Concurrently, separate fighting resulted in additional casualties in the Middle Shabelle region. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was present to assist wounded soldiers from these incidents.
On Tuesday, Al Shabab gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, killing at least seven individuals. The assault occurred during a meeting of local elders and government officials, focused on strategies against the militant group. Witness Ali Suleiman reported that the attackers detonated explosives at the hotel entrance to gain access.
The Al-Qaeda-affiliated organization claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that over ten lives were taken. Clan elder Abdullahi Fidow detailed that the deceased included clan members and guards, expressing concerns over the ongoing violence at the hotel, with parts ablaze at the time.
Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from Hiraan, indicated that government forces were engaged in efforts to eliminate the Al Shabab fighters, some of whom were reportedly killed in nearby streets. Concurrently, in a separate confrontation in southern Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, ten people, including eight militants, were also reported dead, as per military officer Ali Farah.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was at Mogadishu airport to welcome and provide support to the soldiers injured during these encounters. Al Shabab continues its campaign of violence in the region, with the aim of overthrowing the current government and establishing its interpretation of Sharia law.
The recent attack by Al Shabab on a hotel in Beledweyne underscores the ongoing threat posed by the militant group in Somalia. The assault resulted in several casualties, highlighting the urgent need for robust security measures to protect civilians and government officials. Concurrent violent incidents indicate a broader instability that requires comprehensive strategic responses to address the pervasive violence in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
