At least 11 people have been killed in a terrorist attack by the Al-Shabaab group on the Kagira Hotel in the Somali city of Beledweyne, where local elders were gathered. This was reported by Garowe Online.
Earlier, Reuters had reported four casualties.
According to Garowe Online, among the victims were four senior elders from the region's largest clans.
A witness described the attack, saying that an initial explosion was followed by gunfire and then a second blast. He noted that part of the hotel was reduced to rubble due to the explosions and gunfight.
Preliminary reports indicate that the gathering at the hotel included local elders and Somali military representatives, who were encouraging young people to join the fight against Al-Shabaab.
The Al-Shabaab terrorist group has already claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that more than 10 people were killed.
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Photo: AMISOM Public Information/Public Domain
Based on materials from TASS