MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – In a brazen and coordinated attack, Al-Shabaab militants stormed a hotel in Baladweyne, central Somalia, on Tuesday, targeting clan leaders and politicians who were convening to mobilize militias for a planned offensive against the jihadist group.
The assault, marked by a suicide car bombing and a prolonged siege, has left a trail of devastation and underscores the group’s resilience despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The attack began with a devastating suicide car bomb detonated at the entrance of the hotel, located in the western part of Baladweyne. Armed militants then breached the compound, unleashing a wave of violence as they systematically shot individuals inside the building.
Among the victims were several prominent clan leaders, whose deaths represent a significant blow to local efforts to counter Al-Shabaab’s influence.
Security forces rushing to the scene faced additional peril, as concealed explosives in tuktuk vehicles targeted their convoy, further complicating rescue operations. The siege, which has now stretched beyond 14 hours, continues as Somali security forces, bolstered by Ethiopian and Djiboutian peacekeepers, work tirelessly to neutralize the threat and rescue those trapped.
Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group, swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack. The group asserted that it had specifically targeted officials and clan elders involved in organizing militias to launch a new offensive against its strongholds.
This attack marks the first of such scale in Baladweyne this year and highlights the group’s ability to strike at the heart of local governance and security efforts.
The assault comes amid a surge in Al-Shabaab’s territorial gains, particularly in the Middle Shabelle region, where the group has seized vast swathes of territory this month. Despite airstrikes conducted by Somalia’s international partners aimed at repelling the militants, Al-Shabaab’s latest offensive demonstrates its enduring capacity to destabilize the country.
As the siege unfolds, Somali government and Hirshabelle regional authorities have yet to release an official death toll or precise casualty figures.
This attack not only underscores the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab but also serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing Somalia’s fragile state building efforts.
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