- Somali forces ended a 24-hour siege by al-Shabab at Beledweyne's Qahira Hotel
- The attack targeted a meeting of officials planning an offensive against al-Shabab
- Al-Shabab claimed 20 killed
Somali security forces have successfully ended a deadly 24-hour siege carried out by Islamist militants who attacked a well-known hotel in Beledweyne, a city in central Somalia, according to authorities.
The assault by al-Shabab began with a car bomb explosion, followed by armed gunmen storming the Qahira Hotel, triggering fierce clashes with security forces.
Omar Osman Calasow, the mayor of Beledweyne district, confirmed to the BBC that “the attackers have been neutralised. Some detonated themselves while others were killed by police forces.”
The mayor reported seven fatalities, though witnesses suggested the death toll might be higher.
The attack occurred during a meeting at the hotel, where politicians, security officials, and traditional elders were gathered to discuss a planned military offensive against al-Shabab in central Somalia.
Police officer Ali Mahad told AFP that most of the attendees were rescued.
Federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow, from Beledweyne, stated that around seven gunmen had launched the attack.
The exact number of wounded is unclear, but the lawmaker mentioned that efforts were underway to arrange flights to Mogadishu for the injured.
As government forces and militants exchanged fire, parts of the hotel were reduced to rubble. Shopkeeper Ali Suleiman, who witnessed the attack, described hearing a loud blast followed by gunfire and then another explosion.
Mayor Calasow said the siege concluded on Wednesday morning, leaving behind significant damage. He added that those killed included military officers, traditional elders, and soldiers.
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they had killed 20 people, including government officials and leaders of a pro-government clan militia.
The federal government has yet to comment on the reported deaths of the officials and is still investigating the incident.
In a statement, Ali Abdullahi Hussein, president of Hirshabelle state, commended the bravery of the security forces in neutralizing the militants. “Let us unite to complete the elimination of these brutal extremists,” he added.
Beledweyne, located about 335 kilometers (208 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, is a strategically important area in the ongoing campaign against al-Shabab. Somali forces, supported by African Union peacekeepers, continue to battle the militants, who remain a significant threat despite ongoing military operations.
