Militant Attack at Beledweyne Hotel: Traditional Elders Among Victims

A car bomb exploded at the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, killing six people, including two traditional elders. The hotel, involved in anti-al-Shabab efforts, came under assault with gunfire. Though no group claimed responsibility, al-Shabab remains the primary suspect given their history of such attacks.

A devastating car bomb blast took place at the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, on Tuesday, leading to the tragic deaths of at least six individuals, including two notable traditional elders. Witnesses detailed that the hotel, housing participants in operations against al-Shabab, became the focal point of this deadly assault.

Intense gunfire erupted as militants stormed the premises, engaging in a fierce exchange with security forces. Muhsin Abdullahi, a local resident, confirmed the casualties and reported that several injured were receiving medical treatment, having been moved to nearby hospitals. Dramatic footage circulating on social media depicted the hotel's extensive destruction, with thick black smoke rising ominously above.

Although responsibility for the attack has not been officially claimed, al-Shabab is widely suspected given their notorious pattern of targeting Somali government officials and military personnel. Despite ongoing military offensives, the group still exerts control over portions of rural Somalia. This latest incident underscores the strategic significance of Beledweyne, located strategically 335 kilometers north of Mogadishu.

(With inputs from agencies.)