Latest from Al Shabaab attack and siege in Qahira hotel, Ten dead

Mogadishu, (Idil News) – The latest updates on a significant attack occurred at 9.00 local time in a hotel within Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiiraan region, located about 335 kilometers north of Mogadishu. The militant group Al-Shabab, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the assault, which targeted a meeting of local elders, government officials, and military personnel discussing strategies to counter the insurgency in the Hiran region.
The attack began with a car bomb explosion, followed by gunmen storming the hotel and an ongoing siege, as identified in some reports as the Cairo Hotel or Qahira Hotel.

Victims

Local and official Reports confirmed more than ten civilians were killed, with some sources suggesting the death toll could be higher, potentially exceeding fifteen, as the situation remained unresolved for several hours. Among the confirmed casualties were two prominent traditional elders, with several others injured and hospitalized. The exact number of deaths remains uncertain due to the ongoing nature of the siege.

So far federal government minister of health, Ali Haji Adam condemned the attack as he called “cowardly” and expressed his condolences on the elders.

• Chief Aden Ali Abdulle betterly known Aden Raaxa Jecel
• Chief elder Mohamed Osman Farah
• Lieutenant Colonel Aden Mohamud Alasow
• A security guard
• A pedestrian student who was crossing the road

Witnesses reported a massive explosion followed by intense gunfire, with four to five gunmen entering the hotel and engaging security forces. Government forces responded, rescuing many attendees, though parts of the hotel were reduced to rubble during the clashes. Social media footage showed thick black smoke and significant structural damage. A federal parliamentarian, Dahir Amin Jesow, mentioned the need for heavy weaponry to neutralize the attackers, indicating the severity of the situation and adding that the attack would not halt local participation in military operations against Al-Shabab. However, as of the last updates around 11:58 +03 (23:58 PM local time), the assault was still ongoing, with militants continuing to shoot inside the hotel.

Idil News desk, Nairobi