Tue Mar 11 13:15:05 UTC 2025: ## Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Deadly Hotel Siege in Somalia
**Beledweyne, Somalia** – A deadly attack on the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, has left at least four people dead, with reports varying as high as six or more. The Al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the Tuesday assault, stating they killed over 10 individuals.
The attack began with a car bomb explosion followed by a sustained gun battle. Witnesses described hearing multiple blasts and intense gunfire. A shopkeeper, Ali Suleiman, reported seeing part of the hotel reduced to rubble. The siege unfolded as government officials and tribal elders were meeting inside the hotel to discuss counter-terrorism strategies against Al-Shabab. Among the reported casualties are at least two prominent traditional elders.
While Al-Shabab’s claim of over 10 deaths remains unverified, federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow confirmed at least four fatalities. The conflicting death tolls highlight the difficulty in obtaining accurate information from the ongoing conflict zone.
Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, has been fighting the Somali government for over 16 years, aiming to overthrow the current administration and impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. Despite ongoing military operations by Somali forces and an African Union peacekeeping mission, the group retains control over parts of rural Somalia and continues to launch frequent attacks targeting both government personnel and civilians. The Beledweyne attack underscores the ongoing threat posed by the militant group.
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