Al-Shabab Launches Deadly Assault on Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia

A brutal attack by al-Shabab at the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne has left at least ten people dead amidst ongoing firefights with security forces, as officials convened to strategize against the group’s insurgency.

Armed militants affiliated with al-Shabab have stormed the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, a central Somali city, engaging in a prolonged siege that has led to numerous fatalities. Reports from police and eyewitnesses confirm the attack commenced with a car bomb explosion, followed by an invasion by gunmen who clashed violently with security personnel.

Initial police reports indicated that four individuals had been killed, but eyewitness accounts have suggested that the toll could be as high as ten. As the situation remains fluid, security forces are still battling the assailants, with local officers stating they have successfully rescued many attendees.

The attack coincided with a critical meeting of politicians, security officials, and traditional leaders aimed at formulating strategies to combat al-Shabab’s persistent threat in central Somalia. Located approximately 335 kilometers north of Mogadishu, Beledweyne is a strategically significant area in the broader efforts against the fundamentalist group.

Local lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow informed reporters that there are around seven gunmen barricaded inside the hotel and stressed the need for additional forces equipped with heavy weaponry to effectively neutralize the attackers. Descriptions from witnesses indicate the hotel has suffered significant destruction, with parts reduced to rubble as the intense exchange of fire continues.

As uncertainty looms regarding the total number of injuries, local officials have begun arranging air transportation for victims needing medical care in Mogadishu. The devastating event highlights the ongoing volatility in Somalia, where al-Shabab has maintained a violent insurgency for over twenty years, complicating the nation's path toward stability.