Gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, on March 11, 2025, during a meeting of local elders and officials to discuss strategies against Al Shabaab. The militant group claimed responsibility, reporting over 10 fatalities. Government forces are engaged in a siege against the attackers, with multiple casualties reported. Witnesses described blasts and ongoing gunfire during the incident.
On March 11, 2025, gunmen attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, where local elders and government officials were convening. The siege has continued, with federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow reporting at least four fatalities. Government forces have engaged in efforts to eradicate the Al Shabaab fighters, who have sustained casualties within nearby alleys during the attack.
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the assault, asserting that over ten people were killed. Abdullahi Fidow, a local clan elder, indicated that the meeting aimed to devise strategies against Al Shabaab in the region. He shared that he was delayed and arrived just after the attack commenced, highlighting the urgency of the situation surrounding the meeting.
The militant group Al Shabaab periodically conducts bombings and armed assaults in Somalia, striving to overthrow the government and instate its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Witness Ali Suleiman recounted the chaos, saying, “We first heard a huge blast followed by gunfire, then another blast was heard,” indicating the level of violence.
Reports suggest that the attack heavily damaged parts of the Qahira Hotel, with exchanges of gunfire between government troops and militants being a common occurrence. Local resident Halima Nur confirmed the ongoing siege, relaying that gunfire was intermittently audible throughout the ordeal, reflecting the dire situation in Beledweyne.
The attack on the hotel in Beledweyne underscores the persistent threat posed by Al Shabaab in Somalia, as it continues to engage in violence against governmental and local efforts. The ongoing siege exemplifies the fragility of security in the region and the urgent need for effective countermeasures against such militant groups. The event reiterates the challenges faced by government forces in stabilizing the nation amid frequent terrorist attacks.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
