Al Shabaab Gunmen Attack Hotel in Central Somalia, Ongoing Siege and Casualties
On March 11, 2025, gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, targeting a meeting of local elders and officials. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, stating over ten people were killed. Government forces are engaged in a siege to confront the attackers, who caused serious casualties and property damage.
On March 11, 2025, gunmen targeted a hotel in central Somalia during a meeting of local elders and government officials. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the attackers laid siege to the location, resulting in at least four fatalities according to Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from Beledweyne, Hiraan region. Government forces are currently engaged in efforts to eliminate the al Shabaab fighters who were involved in the assault.
The militant group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, asserting that they had killed over ten individuals in the attack. Abdullahi Fidow, a local clan elder, revealed that the meeting focused on strategies to combat al Shabaab’s presence in the region. He had intended to attend the meeting but was delayed due to personal matters, narrowly missing the onset of the violence.
Witnesses reported a series of explosions followed by gunfire; one shopkeeper, Ali Suleiman, detailed the scene, noting that parts of the Qahira Hotel were destroyed amidst the exchange between government troops and the assailants. Halima Nur, a local resident, confirmed that intermittent gunfire could be heard as the standoff persisted, highlighting the ongoing danger in the area.
The attack on the hotel in central Somalia underscores the persistent threat posed by Al Shabaab. The assault resulted in several casualties and significant disruption during a critical meeting aimed at addressing the group’s influence. The situation revealed the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
