Islamist militants from the al-Shabab group stormed the Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, early today, leading to a deadly siege that has now claimed the lives of at least 10 people, according to witnesses. The attack, which began with a car bomb explosion followed by armed gunmen entering the hotel, has resulted in intense clashes with Somali security forces who are still battling the attackers inside the building.
Police confirmed that at least four individuals were initially reported dead, but local witnesses provided higher estimates, with the death toll rising to 10. The siege is ongoing as security forces attempt to neutralize the gunmen, who are holed up in part of the hotel. The situation remains fluid, with heavy gunfire still ringing out from within the hotel.
The hotel was reportedly hosting a meeting of politicians, security officials, and traditional elders who were discussing plans for a major offensive against al-Shabab in the region. Beledweyne is strategically important in the Somali government’s efforts to combat the al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group. It is located approximately 335 kilometers (208 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu.
Ali Mahad, a police officer at the scene, stated that many attendees of the meeting had been rescued by security forces. “Security forces are tackling several gunmen who are cornered in one part of the building,” Mahad said. However, federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow, speaking to the BBC, revealed that at least seven gunmen were believed to be inside the hotel, adding that “it will be necessary to bring in forces with heavy weaponry to neutralize the situation.”
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of devastation, with parts of the hotel reduced to rubble from the explosions and ongoing gunfire. Ali Suleiman, a local shopkeeper who witnessed the attack, described hearing a massive blast followed by a volley of gunfire, then another explosion moments later. “The whole area was shaking,” he said.
At this time, the number of wounded individuals remains unclear, but efforts are underway to fly the injured to Mogadishu for medical treatment. Local authorities and law enforcement are still working to secure the area, and additional forces may be deployed to help contain the situation.
Al-Shabab has been waging a brutal insurgency in Somalia for over two decades, regularly launching attacks on government forces, civilian targets, and foreign nationals. The group’s continued presence and violence in central and southern Somalia remain a significant challenge to the Somali government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which is tasked with stabilizing the country.
This attack underscores the ongoing volatility in Somalia, particularly as the government looks to ramp up its operations against the al-Qaeda-linked militants. The assault on the Qahira Hotel, while tragic, also highlights the group’s desire to target key political and security figures in an attempt to undermine efforts to combat their insurgency.
