On Friday night, a Somali hotel was stormed by militants resulting in 106 people getting trapped inside the building. Unfortunately, a total of twenty-one were killed overnight before the Somali security forces could conduct the rescue mission. The local hospital where the rest of the hostages were taken, reported that at least 40 people were also injured.
Most of the people killed or held hostage were civilians.
This siege is one of the first terrorist attacks that occurred after Hassan Mohamud, Somalia’s new leader had recently gotten elected in May. Police commissioner Abdi Hassan said that the hostages included women and children who were successfully rescued from the clutches of Al-Shabab militants.
The hotel was located in the capital city of Somalia, Mogadishu. Security commander confirmed the end of the hotel siege by Jihadists around Saturday midnight. The siege lasted 30 hours. The security officials confirmed that the gunmen inside the hotel are all dead and there had been no gunfire from inside the hotel after 9 a.m.
Crowds have gathered near the hotel to survey the location after the gunfire had subsided. The hotel was thoroughly destroyed by the security forces to take down the Jihadi assailants. The building was also cleared out of any hidden bombs that could have been planted by the militants.
Al-Shabab militants have been forcing their way into several regions of Somalia including the capital city, Mogadishu.
It is still unclear how many gunmen entered the Hayat Hotel as the police have been vague to give information. The Hotel manager also stated that the police are still clearing out the hotel area to detect any signs of clues left.
Al-Shabab
Al -Shabab means ‘youth movement’ in Arabic. The self-proclaimed jihads against “foes of Islam” are notorious in Somalia for organizing terrorist attacks in several Somalian locations. It has been suspected that the group has some links with Al-Qaeda. The leaders of the militant groups are part of the Hawye clan, one of the largest in Somalia.
The group has operated since 2006 and has made enemies with the Government of Somalia and the African Union Mission to Somalia.
The country with too many troubles
Just recently, Somalia was declared one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change. The country has also been mired in violence since 1990. Since the fall of President Barre and the end of the military regime. Somalia has been through both a civil war and a militant group takeover by the Al-Shabab Jihadists. The Al-Shabab group has been fighting the Somalian government to claim leadership over the country.
Pope Francis has also commented on the country’s condition and the humanitarian crisis the country is currently going through. The United States also seems to be invested in helping out the nation with the current drought crisis. The US has opened its emergency funds of $10 million to help the Somalians.
United Nations help
Somalia has also been known to have violent history due to the scarce resources like water, and food. When necessities are widely unavailable then the uprising of violent groups who claim to fight for justice against the system seems to increase. This fact is acknowledged by the officials of United Nations who tend to provide help in countries like Somalia.
Somalia is currently receiving help from the United Nations to tackle both the problems brought upon by climate change and the terrorist organizations. A senior envoy from the United Nations just recently on Sunday, called for volunteers to help out victims of terror attacks in Somalia.
The UN says it stands in solidarity with both survivors of attacks and that they should be compensated with long-term support. The voices of the survivors should be heard and their human rights should be protected at all costs.
It is uncertain to say when the political crisis that has been going on for at least a decade will end. Attacks from the Al-Shabab militants are increasing day by day with little to no relief to the public.
