Cairo hotel attack

Last updated
Cairo hotel attack
Part of 2025 Shabelle offensive
2013 02 20 Belet Weyne C (8544939496).jpg
Clan elders meet in Beledweyne on February 20, 2013
Native nameWeerarkii Hotel Qaahira
Location Beledweyne, Hiiraan, Somalia
Coordinates 4°44′4.85″N45°11′51.43″E / 4.7346806°N 45.1976194°E / 4.7346806; 45.1976194
DateMarch 11, 2025 (2025-3-11)
9:00 – Ongoing (EAT)
TargetHotel Cairo
Attack type
Deaths≥11 [1]
Injured2+
PerpetratorsShabaabFlag.svg Al Shabaab [2]
No. of participants
5

On 11 March 2025, five Al-Shabaab militants detonated a powerful suicide car bomb attack at a hotel located central of Beledweyne, Hiran, Somalia. began with an explosion, followed by intense gunfire as attackers stormed the hotel and engaged in clashes with security forces, followed by a direct assault and siege, including a mass shooting. At least eleven people were killed, including two traditional elders, and dozens were injured. [3] The death toll was expected to rise due to the severity of casualties. [4] [5] Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it targeted the Cairo Hotel, which accommodates traditional elders and military officers coordinating the government’s ongoing offensive. The assault began with a blast, followed by intense gunfire as attackers stormed the hotel and clashed with security forces. [6] [7]

Contents

Background

Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency for over a decade, continues to control parts of southern and central Somalia began offensive on 20 February 2025, with coordinated attacks on multiple Somali military positions, which included ground assaults. [8]

The Cairo Hotel is a prominent location in the city of Beledweyne that serves as a base for traditional elders and military officers who play a vital role in coordinating government offensives against Al-Shabaab militants. The hotel was significantly damaged by smoke and flames during the attack. [3]

South and central Somalia offensives

There was ongoing military campaign in central Somalia, primarily in the Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions of Hirshabelle State. The offensive was launched by Al-Shabaab, a Jihadist militant group allegiant to Al-Qaeda, against the Somali National Army (SNA), African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) forces, and allied clan militias (Somali : Macawiisleey).The militant group seeks to regain territory lost in the 2022 federal government and African Union ground offensive, particularly strategic towns and supply routes. [9]

Al Shabaab attacks and US warning

Al-Shabaab started a serious war against the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. As they said they want to take control Somalia's capital Mogadishu, like the Taliban did in Afghanistan. The militant group took over more than 15 towns and villages in the Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan, and Lower Shabelle (South West State of Somalia) regions. [10] Called “Operation Ramadan.” Later day, the state capital of Hirshabelle Jowhar was surrounded by Al-Shabaab fighters. The president Ali Guudlaawe fled the administrative capital. Opposition described like the Afghan president Ashraf Ghani fled and the Taliban took Kabul. [11]

Following the unprecedented clashes, on 4 March 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu has warned of imminent attack threats from Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu including at Aden Adde International Airport. [12] Embassy personnel movements are suspended. The embassy also warned that militant groups continue to plan kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks across the country. [13] Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways halted all flights to Mogadishu following security warnings from the U.S. Embassy about potential terrorist attacks targeting Mogadishu Airport. [14] [15]

Attack

On Tuesday 11 March 2024, at around 9:00 a.m. (EAT), five militants from Al-Shabaab attacked Caira hotel (Somali : Qaahira hotel) in the central of the administraive capital Hiiraan Beledweyne. [16]

The attack began with the detonation of a car bomb, followed by gunmen storming the hotel, where local elders and government officials were meeting. Initially at least five people were killed and five others were injured. [17] [18] Somali security forces, supported by Djiboutian and Ethiopian troops under the African Union Mission AUSSOM, surrounded the hotel. Later reports confirmed six civilian deaths, with the toll expected to climb. [19] Five Al-Shabaab militants involved in the attack and government soldiers who responded were also killed. [20] [21]

Reactions

Former President of Somalia, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed posted on his social media account, saying, "I strongly condemn the barbaric attack carried out this morning by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in Beledweyne, the capital of Hiiran region." [22] His successor former president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed relessed statement, stating, "I share my thoughts and condolences with the families and relatives of the civilians who killed in the brutal terrorist attack on the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne. [23] Current Somali federal government minister of health, Ali Haji Adam, condemned the incident as “a cowardly terrorist attack” and expressed his condolences. [24]

References

  1. ↑ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2025-03-11). "Latest from Al Shabaab attack and siege in Qahira hotel, Ten dead". Idil News. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  2. ↑ "TRAC Incident Report: Al-Shabaab Double-Tap Car Bombing & Ambush Meeting of Prominent Local Elders & Government Officials at Qahira Hotel, in Beledweyne, Hiran, Somalia - 11 March 2025". TRAC. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  3. 1 2 Roushan, Anurag (March 11, 2025). "Several killed as militants attack hotel in Somalia, Al-Qaida-affiliated group claims responsibility". India TV . Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ "At least six killed in militant attack on hotel in Somalia's Beledweyne". Firstpost. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  5. ↑ "Al Shabaab gunmen attack hotel in central Somalia, siege ongoing". Reuters . March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Militant Attack at Beledweyne Hotel: Traditional Elders Among Victims". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  7. ↑ https://www-theeastafrican-co-ke.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/shabaab-gunmen-attack-hotel-in-central-somalia-4960498
  8. ↑ "Somali al-Shabab militants storm Qahira Hotel in Beledweyne". www.bbc.com. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  9. ↑ "At least 6 killed in a militant attack on a hotel in Somalia". AP News. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  10. ↑ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2025-03-07). "Al-Shabaab Militants Overrun South Somalia, Eye Mogadishu in 'Ramadan' Offensive". Idil News. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  11. ↑ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2025-03-07). "Al-Shabaab Militants Overrun South Somalia, Eye Mogadishu in 'Ramadan' Offensive". Idil News. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  12. ↑ "US warns of imminent Shabaab attack in Mogadishu". The EastAfrican. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  13. ↑ "US Embassy in Somalia warns of imminent terror threats - Africa - World". Ahram Online. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  14. ↑ Molyneaux, Ian (2025-03-06). "Major airlines cancel Mogadishu flights after US warning". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  15. ↑ Molyneaux, Ian (2025-03-06). "Major airlines cancel Mogadishu flights after US warning". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  16. ↑ "At least six killed in a militant attack on a hotel in Somalia". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  17. ↑ "Wararkii ugu dambeeyey ee weerarka Beledweyne". Voice of America (in Somali). 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  18. ↑ "Al-Shabaab terror group attacks hotel in Somalia's Beledweyne town". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  19. ↑ "Al-Shabab gunmen lay siege to Somali hotel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
  20. ↑ "Gunmen attack hotel in Somalia, killing at least 5". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  21. ↑ Dhingra, Kriti (2025-03-11). "Car Bomb Explodes at Hotel in Somali City of Beledweyne; At Least 6 Killed". NewsX World. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  22. ↑ "Madaxweynihii hore Soomaaliya Sheekh Shariif oo cambaareeyay weerarkii Beledweyne". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
  23. ↑ Farmaajo, Mohamed (March 12, 2025). "Waxaan murugada iyo tacsida la qaybsanayaa ehelka iyo qaraabada dadkii birmo-geydada ahaa ee ku geeriyooday weerarkii arxandarrada ahaa ee argagixisadu ka gaysateen Hotel Qaahira ee magaalada Beledweyne. (@M_Farmaajo)". Reuters . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Wasiirka Caafimaadka Soomaaliya oo cambaareeyay weerarkii Al-shabaab ee saakay ku qaadeen Magaalada Beledweyne". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
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