A deadly siege is underway in Beledweyne, central Somalia, after armed Islamists stormed a hotel in a coordinated attack. The militant group al-Shabab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, launched the assault on the Qahira Hotel using a car bomb, followed by gunmen entering the premises and engaging in heavy clashes with security forces.
According to police reports, at least four people have been confirmed dead. However, eyewitnesses speaking to the BBC indicated that the death toll had risen to 10 as security forces continued to battle the attackers. Several high-profile individuals, including politicians, security officials, and traditional elders, were inside the hotel at the time of the attack. They had gathered to discuss strategies for an upcoming offensive against al-Shabab in central Somalia.
Beledweyne, located approximately 335 km (208 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, is a key strategic area in Somalia’s fight against al-Shabab. The city has been a hotspot in the government’s ongoing efforts to curb the influence of the militant group, which has been waging an insurgency for over two decades.
Police officer Ali Mahad confirmed that security forces had managed to rescue many of those present in the hotel. However, gunmen remain holed up in parts of the building, necessitating reinforcements. “Security forces are tackling several gunmen who are cornered in one part of the building,” he stated, as quoted by AFP.
Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from Beledweyne, told the BBC that nearly seven militants were involved in the attack. “It will be necessary to bring in forces with heavy weaponry to neutralize the situation,” he said.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the attack unfolded. Ali Suleiman, a shopkeeper who observed the incident, told Reuters, “We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard.” Parts of the hotel have reportedly been reduced to rubble due to the fierce exchange of gunfire between security forces and the assailants.
Authorities are working to evacuate and treat the wounded, with efforts underway to arrange medical flights to Mogadishu for those in critical condition. The siege remains ongoing as Somali forces strive to eliminate the attackers and secure the area.
