2025 Beledweyne hotel attack

2025 hotel attack in Beledweyne, Somalia

This article documents a terrorist attack. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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2025 Beledweyne hotel attack

Part of 2025 Shabelle offensive, Somali Civil War
Location| Beledweyne, Hiiraan, Somalia
Coordinates| 4°44′4.85″N 45°11′51.43″E﻿ / ﻿4.7346806°N 45.1976194°E﻿ / 4.7346806; 45.1976194
Date| 07:00, 11 March 2025 (2025-3-11T07:00:00)[1] –
12 March 2025 (2025-3-12) (EAT)
Target| Hotel Cairo

Attack type

* Suicide bombing
* car bombing
* mass shooting

Weapons| Car bomb, suicide vests, firearms
Deaths| 21+ (including 6 attackers)[2][3]
Injured| 5+[4]
Perpetrators|  Al Shabaab[5]

No. of participants

| 6

* v
* t
* e

Somali Civil War
(2009–present)

Timeline

* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* * *

Operations and battles

* 2009
* S Mogadishu
* Mogadishu
* C Somalia
* Wabho
* Kismayo
* 2010
* Beledweyne
* Ayn
* Kenyan border
* Mogadishu
* 2011
* Lower Juba
* Gedo
* Elwaq
* Linda Nchi
* Deynile
* Beledweyne
* 2012
* Yurkud
* Kismayo
* 2013
* Bulo Marer
* 2014
* Operation Indian Ocean
* Galgala
* 2015
* Baure
* Leego
* Janale
* 2016
* El Adde
* Qandala
* 2017
* Kulbiyow
* Barii
* Af Urur
* Golweyn
* November 2017
* 2018
* Bulo Marer
* Gandarshe
* 2020
* Camp Simba
* Shabeelow
* 2021
* Awdheegle and Bariire
* Mogadishu
* Wisil
* Golweyn
* Amara
* Galmudug
* 2022
* Ethiopia
* Bal'ad
* Runirgod
* 2023
* Hilowle Gaab
* Hawadley
* Bulo Marer
* 2024
* Dhanaane Busley base
* El Dher
* Ras Kamboni
* 2025
* Middle Shabelle

* * *

Major attacks

* 2009
* AU base
* Beledweyne
* Hotel Shamo
* 2010
* Mogadishu
* Kampala
* Muna Hotel
* 2011
* Mogadishu
* 2013
* Mogadishu UN
* Mogadishu embassy
* Westgate
* Beledweyne
* 2014
* Villa Somalia
* Hotel Amalo
* 2015
* Central Hotel
* Makka al-Mukarama
* Garissa
* Ministry of Education
* Garowe
* Jazeera Palace Hotel
* Sahafi Hotel
* 2016
* Mogadishu (Jan)
* Daallo Airlines Flight 159
* Mogadishu (Feb)
* Baidoa
* Mogadishu (Jun)
* Awdiinle
* Galkayo
* Mogadishu (Aug)
* Mogadishu (Nov)
* Mogadishu (Dec)
* 2017
* Mogadishu (2 Jan)
* Dayah Hotel
* Mogadishu (Feb)
* Mogadishu (14 Oct)
* Mogadishu (28 Oct)
* 2018
* Mogadishu (Feb)
* Mogadishu (Mar)
* Mogadishu (Jul)
* Baidoa
* Mogadishu (2 Sep)
* Sahafi Hotel
* Mogadishu (Dec)
* 2019
* Nairobi DusitD2
* Nairobi Latema Rd
* Mogadishu (4 Feb)
* Mogadishu (28 Feb)
* Mogadishu (Mar)
* Kismayo
* Mogadishu (22 Jul)
* Mogadishu (24 Jul)
* Kenya bus
* Mogadishu (Dec)
* 2020
* Afgooye
* Baidoa Eid
* Mogadishu (8 Aug)
* Mogadishu (16 Aug)
* Galkayo
* 2021
* Bal'ad and Dinsoor
* Mogadishu (Mar)
* Mogadishu (Jun)
* Mogadishu (Nov)
* 2022
* Mandera
* Beledweyne (Feb)
* Beledweyne and Mogadishu (Mar)
* Mogadishu (Apr)
* Mogadishu (Aug)
* Beledweyne (Sep)
* Beledweyne (Oct)
* Kismayo
* Mogadishu (Oct)
* Mogadishu (Nov)
* 2023
* Mahas
* Buloburde and Jalalaqsi
* Mogadishu (Jun)
* Mogadishu (Jul)
* Beledweyne
* Mogadishu (Sep)
* 2024
* Mogadishu market (Mar)
* Mogadishu hotel (Mar)
* Dhanaane Busley base (Mar)
* Lido Beach (Aug)
* Mogadishu tea shop (Aug)
* 2025
* Cairo hotel attack (Mar)

On 11 March 2025, six Al-Shabaab militants detonated a suicide car bomb at the Cairo Hotel in central Beledweyne, Hiran, Somalia. The assault began with an explosion, followed by intense gunfire as attackers stormed the hotel and clashed with security forces.[6][7] At least 21 people were killed, including all attackers and two traditional elders, and dozens were injured.[8][9] The death toll is expected to rise due to the severity of the incident.[10][11] The hotel hosted traditional elders and military officers coordinating government reports.[12]

## Background

[edit]

Main article: Timeline of al-Shabaab-related events

Al-Shabaab, a Jihadist militant group and ally of Al-Qaeda, has waged an insurgency for over a decade and continues to control parts of southern and central Somalia.

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.[9]

### South and central Somalia offensives

[edit]

Main article: 2025 Shabelle offensive

On 20 February 2025, Al-Shabaab started a new offensive called "Operation Ramadan",[13] against the Somali National Army (SNA), African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) forces, and allied clan militias (Somali: Macawiisleey), in Hirshabelle State.[14][13] The militant group's objective was to regain territory lost in the 2022 ground offensive led by the federal government and African Union, particularly strategic towns and supply routes, and to take control of Somalia's capital Mogadishu.[13][15]

Al-Shabaab took over more than 15 towns and villages in the Middle Shabelle, Hiran, and Lower Shabelle regions within the first day of the offensive. The state capital Jowhar was later surrounded by Al-Shabaab fighters, and Hirshabelle's president Ali Guudlaawe fled the city. Opposition media compared the event to Afghan president Ashraf Ghani's escape from Kabul when it fell to the Taliban.[13]

On 4 March 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu warned of imminent attack threats from Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu, including at Aden Adde International Airport.[16] Following this security warning, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways halted all flights to Mogadishu.[17] Embassy personnel movements were suspended. The embassy also warned that militant groups continue to plan kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks across the country.[18][17]

## Attack

[edit]

On 11 March 2025, at around 7:00 a.m. (EAT),[1] six militants from Al-Shabaab launched an attack against the Cairo Hotel, where politicians, security officials and traditional elders were meeting to discuss plans for an offensive against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia.[19]

The attack began with the detonation of a car bomb, followed by gunmen storming the hotel. At least five people were initially killed and five others were injured.[20][21] The death toll later increased to more than 15 civilians.[3] According to Al-Shabaab, twenty people were killed, including government officials and leaders of a pro-government clan militia.[22]

Somali security forces, supported by Djiboutian and Ethiopian troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, later surrounded the hotel. Later reports confirmed ten civilian deaths, with the toll expected to increase.[23] Six Al-Shabaab militants involved in the attack and government soldiers who responded were also killed.[2][24][25] The hotel was significantly damaged by smoke and flames during the attack.[9]

## Aftermath

[edit]

In response to the attack, the Somali Army killed at least 50 Al-Shabaab militants in airstrikes, including the senior leader in charge of the coordination of the group's combat vehicles, Mansoor Tima-Weeyne.[26]

## Reactions

[edit]

Former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed condemned the attacks on social media and expressed condolences to relatives of the victims,[27][28] as did the minister of health, Ali Haji Adam.[29]

More than 100 members of Somalia's Federal Parliament called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to resign, accusing him of leadership failures as the country grapples with mounting security and governance challenges.[8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Somali Forces End 15-Hour Al-Shabaab Attack on Hotel in Beledweyne city". Garowe Online. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
2. ^ a b "Somali forces end a 24-hour siege by al-Shabab militants on a hotel, leaving all fighters dead". ABC News. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
3. ^ a b "Somalia hotel siege death toll rises to 10, officer says". Reuters. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
4. ^ Dhagane, Hussein (11 March 2025). "At least five killed, five others injured as al-Shabaab gunmen storm central Somalia hotel". Voice of America. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
5. ^ "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 11 March 2025.
6. ^ "Militant Attack at Beledweyne Hotel: Traditional Elders Among Victims". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
7. ^ "Shabaab gunmen attack hotel in central Somalia". The East African. 11 March 2025.
8. ^ a b "Over 100 Somali Lawmakers Demand Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's Resignation Amid Beledweyne Hotel Attack". Idil News. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
9. ^ a b c Roushan, Anurag (11 March 2025). "Several killed as militants attack hotel in Somalia, Al-Qaida-affiliated group claims responsibility". India TV. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
10. ^ "At least six killed in militant attack on hotel in Somalia's Beledweyne". Firstpost. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
11. ^ "Al Shabaab gunmen attack hotel in central Somalia, siege ongoing". Reuters. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
12. ^ Faruk | AP, Omar (11 March 2025). "A militant attack on a Somalia hotel leaves an unknown number dead". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
13. ^ a b c d Dr. Xiddig (7 March 2025). "Al-Shabaab Militants Overrun South Somalia, Eye Mogadishu in 'Ramadan' Offensive". Idil News. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
14. ^ "Somalia says its army, allied militias repel al Shabaab attacks, kill more than 130". Reuters. 20 February 2025.
15. ^ "At least 6 killed in a militant attack on a hotel in Somalia". AP News. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
16. ^ "US warns of imminent Shabaab attack in Mogadishu". The EastAfrican. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
17. ^ a b Molyneaux, Ian (6 March 2025). "Major airlines cancel Mogadishu flights after US warning". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
18. ^ "US Embassy in Somalia warns of imminent terror threats - Africa - World". Ahram Online. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
19. ^ "At least six killed in a militant attack on a hotel in Somalia". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
20. ^ "Wararkii ugu dambeeyey ee weerarka Beledweyne". Voice of America (in Somali). 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
21. ^ "Al-Shabaab terror group attacks hotel in Somalia's Beledweyne town". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
22. ^ "Somali forces end deadly 24-hour hotel siege". BBC News. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
23. ^ "Al-Shabab gunmen lay siege to Somali hotel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
24. ^ "Gunmen attack hotel in Somalia, killing at least 5". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
25. ^ Dhingra, Kriti (11 March 2025). "Car Bomb Explodes at Hotel in Somali City of Beledweyne; At Least 6 Killed". NewsX World. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
26. ^ "Somali forces kill 50 militants in airstrikes after ending hotel siege". Voice Of America. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
27. ^ "Madaxweynihii hore Soomaaliya Sheekh Shariif oo cambaareeyay weerarkii Beledweyne". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
28. ^ Farmaajo, Mohamed (12 March 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 12 March 2025.
29. ^ "Wasiirka Caafimaadka Soomaaliya oo cambaareeyay weerarkii Al-shabaab ee saakay ku qaadeen Magaalada Beledweyne". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 12 March 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Somali Civil War (2009–present)

* Part of the Somali Civil War
* War on terror

Timeline|

* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Background|

* History of Somalia (1991–2006)
* Greater Somalia
* Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa
* Somali Civil War
* Factions
* Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts
* Propaganda
* Disarmament
* 2006 Islamic Courts Union offensive
* Battle of Mogadishu (2006)
* Ethiopian–Somali conflict
* Insurgency in Ogaden
* Somali Reconciliation Conferences
* 1993
* 2002
* 2007

Operations
and battles|

* Battle of South Mogadishu
* Battle of Mogadishu (2009)
* Battle for Central Somalia (2009)
* Battle of Wabho
* Battle of Kismayo (2009)
* Battle of Beledweyne (2010)
* 2010 Ayn clashes
* 2010 Kenya–Al-Shabaab border clash
* Battle of Mogadishu (2010–2011)
* Battle of Jubbada Hoose
* Battle of Gedo
* Battle of Elwaq
* Operation Linda Nchi
* Battle of Deynile
* Battle of Beledweyne (2011)
* Battle of Yurkud (2012)
* Battle of Kismayo (2012)
* Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt
* Operation Indian Ocean
* Galgala campaign
* Battle of Baure
* Battle of Leego (2015)
* Battle of Janale (2015)
* Battle of El Adde
* Qandala campaign
* Battle of Kulbiyow
* 2017 raid on Barii
* Battle of Af Urur
* 2017 Golweyn ambush
* November 2017 Somalia airstrike
* 2018 African Union base attack in Bulo Marer
* December 2018 airstrikes in Gandarshe
* Camp Simba attack
* 2021 Mogadishu mutiny
* 2021 Golweyn ambush
* 2021 Galmudug clashes
* 2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia
* Battle of Bal'ad
* Battle of Runirgod
* Battle of Buulo Mareer
* 2025 Shabelle offensive

Attacks|

* 2009 African Union base bombings in Mogadishu
* 2009 Beledweyne bombing
* 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing
* May 2010 Mogadishu bombings
* 2010 Kampala bombings
* Muna Hotel attack
* 2011 Mogadishu bombing
* June 2013 Mogadishu attack
* 2013 Mogadishu Turkish embassy attack
* Westgate shopping mall attack
* 2013 Beledweyne attacks
* 2014 Villa Somalia attack
* 2014 Hotel Amalo attack
* Central Hotel attack
* Makka al-Mukarama hotel attack
* Garissa University College attack
* 2015 Ministry of Higher Education attack
* Garowe attack
* Jazeera Palace Hotel bombing
* Sahafi Hotel attacks
* January 2016 Mogadishu attack
* Daallo Airlines Flight 159
* February 2016 Mogadishu attack
* Baidoa suicide bombing
* June 2016 Mogadishu attacks
* 2016 Galkayo bombings
* November 2016 Mogadishu car bombing
* December 2016 Mogadishu suicide bombing
* 2 January 2017 Mogadishu bombings
* Dayah Hotel attack
* February 2017 Mogadishu bombing
* 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings
* 28 October 2017 Mogadishu attacks
* February 2018 Mogadishu attacks
* March 2018 Mogadishu bombing
* July 2018 Mogadishu bombings
* 2 September 2018 Mogadishu bombing
* Sahafi Hotel attacks
* December 2018 Mogadishu bombing
* Nairobi DusitD2 complex attack
* Nairobi Latema Road blast
* 4 February 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 28 February 2019 Mogadishu bombings
* Asasey Hotel attack
* 22 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 24 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 2019 Kenya bus shooting
* December 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 2020 Afgooye bombing
* 2020 Mogadishu army base bombing
* 2020 Mogadishu hotel attack
* 2020 Galkayo bombing
* March 2021 Mogadishu bombing
* June 2021 Mogadishu bombing
* November 2021 Mogadishu bombing
* 2022 Mandera attack
* February 2022 Beledweyne bombing
* March 2022 Somalia attacks
* April 2022 Mogadishu bombing
* August 2022 Mogadishu attack
* September 2022 Beledweyne attack
* October 2022 Beledweyne bombings
* 2022 Kismayo hotel attack
* October 2022 Mogadishu bombings
* Siege of the Villa Rossa Hotel
* Mahas bombings
* 2023 Mogadishu hotel attack
* Mogadishu military academy bombing
* 2023 Beledweyne bombing
* 2023 Mogadishu tea shop bombing
* 2024 Mogadishu market bombing
* 2024 Mogadishu prison attack
* Top Coffee bombing
* 2024 Lido Beach attack
* 2024 Mogadishu tea shop bombing
* Cairo hotel attack

OEF–HOA|

* 2009 Baraawe raid
* Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt
* 2013 raid on Barawe
* 2017 raid on Barii

Other events|

* Death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor
* London Somalia Conference
* Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy
* Daallo Airlines Flight 159
* Awdiinle massacre

Key players|

* Al-Shabaab
* Mukhtar Robow
* Ali Dhere
* Fuad Qalaf
* Hizbul Islam
* Hassan Dahir Aweys
* Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki
* Federal Government of Somalia
* Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
* Omar Sharmarke
* Mohamed Sheikh Hassan
* Ma'awisley
* Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
* Galmudug
* Abdi Hasan Awale
* Puntland
* Abdiweli Gaas
* AMISOM
* United States AFRICOM
* Islamic State in Somalia

* Previous phase: War in Somalia (2006–2009)

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