Al-Shabab Storms Hotel in Beledweyne, Leaving a Trail of Death and Destruction

A siege unfolded at the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, after al-Shabab militants launched a violent assault following an explosive car bomb. Casualties have reached at least ten, with ongoing clashes between gunmen and security forces amidst a meeting aimed at strategizing against the group.

Armed militants linked to al-Qaeda's al-Shabab have unleashed chaos on the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, launching an attack that has already claimed multiple lives. The assault began with a car bomb detonating outside the venue, which was crowded with local politicians, security personnel, and traditional leaders convening to formulate an offensive against the insurgents operating in the region.

Police reports indicate that four deaths have been confirmed, though eyewitness accounts suggest that the toll may have surged to ten, as fierce gun battles continue. Local security is struggling to contain the escalating violence as armed gunmen continue their assault, seizing control of parts of the hotel where intense fighting persists.

Ali Mahad, a police officer on the scene, stated that many of the attendees have been rescued, but a significant threat remains as security forces confront an estimated seven militants inside the building. “It may be necessary to bring in heavy weaponry to eliminate the remaining threats,” said Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from Beledweyne.

Witnesses described the horrifying moments when explosions rocked the hotel, plunging the area into panic. "There was first a tremendous blast, followed by gunfire, with another explosion soon after," recollected local shopkeeper Ali Suleiman. The full extent of injuries remains unknown, yet there are efforts underway to airlift victims suffering from their wounds to Mogadishu for urgent medical treatment.

The city of Beledweyne, positioned 335 kilometers north of Mogadishu, holds strategic importance in the ongoing fight against al-Shabab. The group has continued its insurgency for over two decades, further complicating the security landscape in Somalia.