Tuesday March 11, 2025
Beledweyne (HOL) – At least six people, including traditional elders, were killed on Tuesday morning when the Al-Shabaab militant group stormed a hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia.
The attack began with a car bomb explosion, followed by gunmen entering the hotel, leading to intense clashes with security forces.
According to police, at least four people were initially confirmed dead, but witnesses later reported that the death toll had risen to ten. Among those killed were Elder Raho Raaxa Jeket, Elder Mohamed Osman Ileyna, Adan Mohamed Alasow Indhabur, and an officer named Galaangashe.
The raid on the hotel took place as politicians, security officials and traditional elders were meeting to discuss plans for an offensive against the group in central Somalia.
The militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it had killed more than 10 people.
Beledweyne is about about 335km (208 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, and is a strategic location in the campaign against al-Shabab.
The armed group frequently carries out attacks targeting government officials and military personnel in the country as it tries to topple the government to establish its own strict interpretation of Islamic law, although civilians are also at risk.