JidbaaleAt least six individuals, including traditional elders, were slain on Tuesday morning when the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization raided a guesthouse in Beledweyne, central Somalia.
The incident started with a vehicle bomb explosion, followed by gunmen entering the hotel, leading to heavy battles with security personnel.
Police first acknowledged four fatalities; however, witnesses subsequently said that the death toll had increased to 10. Among those slain were Elder Raho Raaxa Jeket, Elder Mohamed Osman Ileyna, Adan Mohamed Alasow Indhabur, and an officer called Galaangashe.
The attack on the hotel took place while politicians, security officials, and traditional elders were gathering to discuss preparations for an operation against the organization in central Somalia.
The extremist organization claimed credit for the incident, alleging that it had murdered more than 10 individuals.
Beledweyne lies roughly 335 kilometers (208 miles) north of the city, Mogadishu, and is a vital area in the war against al-Shabab.
The armed organization routinely carries out assaults targeting government officials and military people in the nation as it strives to remove the government to enforce its own strict version of Islamic law, while civilians are also in danger.
