On March 11, 2025, gunmen attacked the Qahira Hotel in Baladweyne, Somalia, leading to an ongoing siege. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, asserting substantial fatalities. Eyewitnesses described explosions and gunfire, illustrating the severe violence in the region.
On March 11, 2025, a group of gunmen attacked a hotel in Baladweyne, central Somalia, where local elders and government officials were gathered, resulting in an ongoing siege. Witnesses report that at least four individuals have died, with casualties still being assessed. Federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow confirmed the fatalities and indicated that the situation is still developing.
The militant organization, Al Shabaab, has claimed responsibility for this attack, asserting that they have killed over ten individuals. This group frequently conducts violent assaults in Somalia, aiming to undermine the government and impose their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. The ongoing violence exemplifies the instability plaguing this region of the Horn of Africa.
Eyewitnesses, such as shopkeeper Ali Suleiman, described the events as starting with a significant explosion, followed by sustained gunfire, with additional blasts occurring shortly after. The aftermath was severe, with parts of the Qahira Hotel in ruins as skirmishes between government forces and the attackers unfolded. Another nearby resident, Halima Nur, corroborated the chaotic scene, noting that intermittent gunfire persisted throughout the siege.
In summary, the siege at the Qahira Hotel in Baladweyne marks another violent episode in Somalia, with Al Shabaab claiming accountability for the attack. With ongoing clashes and casualty figures still being confirmed, the incident underscores the persistent security challenges in the region and the militant group’s ongoing threat to stability.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
