Somali forces terminated a hotel siege in Beledweyne, killing six militants, followed by airstrikes that eliminated at least 50 al-Shabab members. District Commissioner Omar Osman Alasow confirmed the siege ended with fatalities among security officials and civilians. Concurrently, the Somali government shut down media outlets linked to al-Shabab in an effort to combat extremist ideologies.
In Beledweyne, Somalia, security forces successfully concluded a hotel siege, resulting in the death of all six attackers from the al-Shabab militant group. The siege, which lasted 18 hours, ended with the rescue of traditional elders, military personnel, and civilians trapped inside the hotel, as reported by District Commissioner Omar Osman Alasow. He noted that, during the siege, government forces eliminated two militants, while the remaining four detonated explosives when cornered. Tragically, seven individuals were reported dead, including security officials and prominent elders.
Following the siege, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) reported that airstrikes conducted in Hirshabelle led to the deaths of at least 50 al-Shabab militants. The operations also targeted senior members within the group, including Mansoor Tima-Weeyne, who oversaw the coordination of combat vehicles for terrorist actions. NISA emphasized that these airstrikes were a critical maneuver in dismantling the group’s operational capabilities.
Additionally, in a concurrent effort against al-Shabab, NISA announced the closure of 12 media outlets affiliated with the group, which is often referred to derogatorily as Khawarij. This measure is part of a broader initiative to curb the dissemination of extremist ideology and misinformation. The government has intensified its scrutiny following the previous shutdown of over 30 al-Shabab-related websites, targeting platforms that incite violence and spread treacherous information.
The recent military actions in Beledweyne exemplify Somalia’s continued efforts to combat the al-Shabab threat, especially after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s declaration of total war against the group. The significant casualties among the militants during the airstrikes mark a decisive move in weakening their operational capabilities. Furthermore, the government’s crackdown on extremist media outlets signifies a multifaceted approach to counterterrorism, aiming to eradicate both the physical presence of al-Shabab and their ideological influence.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
