(25 March 2024) MANDERA (Halqabsi News) — An explosion at the Mama Samaki Hotel in Mandera town has left three people dead, including two police officers, and two others injured, authorities reported on Monday. The hotel, situated directly opposite Shamaal Hospital, was rocked by a suspected terror attack, sparking widespread condemnation from the residents.
Officials suspect that Al Shabaab militants are behind the deadly explosion, which specifically targeted the hotel frequented by security personnel. The dead include two members of the police force and the female owner of the establishment. The attack is viewed as a move to instil fear and disrupt the socio-economic fabric of the region.
In the wake of the tragedy, Mandera residents have voiced their outrage, labelling the incident as a cowardly act aimed at crippling the local economy and fostering an environment of desperation conducive to recruitment by the terror group. The community has pledged to bolster its resistance against Al Shabaab and to work closely with security forces to prevent future incidents.
Emergency services responded to the scene, providing medical assistance to the wounded and securing the area as investigations commenced. Security measures in the town and surrounding areas have been heightened as authorities seek to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
This incident comes in the wake of another assault attributed to Al-Shabaab militants; an attack in Lamu left two members of the National Police Reserve dead, with another sustaining injuries on Saturday night. The continuous pattern of attacks highlights the persistent threat the group poses in Somalia and neighbouring regions.
Halqabsi News
