News as at
April 4, 2026, 3:43 am
Somalia's Disaster Management Agency Distributes Food Aid to 1,000 Families in Huddur
- [Shabelle] Huddur, Somalia -- Somalia's National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has distributed food aid to 1,000 families in Huddur, the regional capital of Bakool Region, officials said.
Somali Military Holds Security Meeting in Baidoa to Boost Fight Against Al-Shabaab
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- A high-level security meeting focused on strengthening public safety and intensifying operations against Al-Shabaab was held Monday evening in Baidoa, officials said.
Somalia's Future Council Rejects Federal Appointment of Caretaker Leader for Southwest State
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Future Council has strongly opposed the federal government's appointment of a caretaker administration for South West State, calling the move a clear violation of both the federal constitution and the state's own legal framework.
Somali Forces Kill Al-Shabaab Militants in Planned Hiiraan Operation
- [Shabelle] Hiiraan Region, Somalia -- Somali National Army forces carried out a planned operation in eastern Hiiraan Region, killing several Al-Shabaab members, the military said.
Somalia Cabinet Approves Key Laws and Agreements, Calls for Peace Amid Security Gains
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- The Federal Cabinet of Somalia approved key legislative proposals, international agreements, and regulatory measures during its weekly meeting on Thursday, aimed at strengthening government institutions, fostering cooperation, and promoting national development.
Iranian-Flagged Vessel Hijacked Off Somalia
- [Shabelle] An Iranian flagged vessel, identified as the Al Waseemi 786, has been hijacked by suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, maritime security agencies reported on Wednesday.
Somali Military Holds Workshop On Civilian Protection During Anti-Shabaab Operations
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The commander of Somalia's Joint Operations Coordination Center, Mohamed Ali Bariise, on Thursday opened a workshop for officers from various units of the Somali National Army focused on protecting civilians during operations against Al-Shabaab, officials said.
Somalia's New Northeastern State Detains Journalist for Criticizing President
- [CPJ] New York -- The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of journalist Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed, also known as Dhulmar, who has been held without charge since March 26 over a video that criticized President Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali of the newly-formed Northeastern State of Somalia.
Speaker of Somali Parliament Meets Southwest State Ministers to Review Public Services
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- The Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), met Monday with interim ministers of the Southwest State during an official visit to Baidoa.
Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Launches Agriculture Coordination Platform in Mogadishu
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, on Wednesday inaugurated a new agriculture coordination platform established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, aimed at strengthening collaboration and harmonizing agricultural development programs across the country.
Somaliland President Meets Major Traders Over Inflation Pressures
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro held talks with leading business figures on Wednesday to address rising inflation and economic pressures linked to instability in the Middle East, officials said.
Somalia Intelligence Operations Destroy Al-Shabaab Bomb Sites, Kill Fighters
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's intelligence agency said Wednesday its forces, working with international partners, carried out coordinated operations that destroyed facilities used by Islamist militants for bomb-making, weapons repair and fighter mobilisation.
EU Prioritises Political Stability and Governance Support in Somalia
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The European Union has reaffirmed that support for Somalia remains a top priority, particularly in advancing political solutions and strengthening stability, according to officials.
Somali Youth Awarded for Promoting Positive Content As 'Daaci2026' Program Concludes
- [Shabelle] MOGADISHU, Somalia. In a glitzy ceremony marking a milestone for Somali digital creativity, the "Daaci 2026" program concluded its inaugural season in Mogadishu on Monday, March 30, rewarding young content creators for spreading positive social and religious messages during the holy month of Ramadan.
Somalia Parliamentary Speaker Meets Commanders in Baidoa After Road-Clearing Operation
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's parliamentary speaker held a high-level security meeting in the interim South West regional capital of Baidoa on Wednesday with senior army commanders following operations to secure a key road linking the city to the capital, officials said.
'We Have Not Appointed Any King' - Somali Shop-Owners Targeted in Protests Against Nigerians
- [GroundUp] "Coronation" of Igbo man sparks furious protests in Buffalo City
Somalia's Hormuud Telecom Signs Digital Economy MOU With Germany's GIZ
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's largest telecommunications provider, Hormuud Telecom, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed an agreement on Tuesday to develop an inclusive digital economy in Somalia and the wider East African region.
Al-Shabaab Shells Airport in Southwest Somalia, Helicopter Unharmed
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Fighters from Al-Shabaab fired mortar rounds at the airport in Buurhakabo in southwestern Somalia on Tuesday, security sources said, as a government helicopter was attempting to land.
Somalia Enters New Energy Phase As Drilling Vessel Arrives, Transparency Group Urges Safeguards
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia has entered a new phase in its energy sector after the drilling vessel ÇaÄŸri Bey arrived this week in the country's waters at the Curad-1 well site, according to a statement by Transparency Somalia Initiative.
How Stronger Financial and Digital Services Are Supporting Women's MSMEs and Jobs in Somalia
- [World Bank] Somali women are prolific micro-entrepreneurs and job creators. They own more than half of all household businesses, which account for a quarter of paid female jobs. Yet, without foundational financial, business registration, and digital ID services, more than half of these businesses are unable to meet their credit needs or create more and better jobs.
U.S. Lawmaker Pushes Somaliland Recognition After Israel Move
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- A U.S. congressman said recent legislation he introduced could help pave the way for closer ties with Somaliland and potentially support future recognition of the self-declared republic, following a similar move by Israel.
Somaliland President Discusses Regional Security With Former IGAD Envoy
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, held a meeting at the Presidential Palace with former Intergovernmental Authority on Development envoy Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Afey, focusing on regional security and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Somali PM Honors Youth At 'Daaci 2026' Event, Urges Digital Moral Leadership
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Monday night called on the nation's youth to leverage technology for social good, while offering reassurances over the security transition in the strategic southern city of Baidoa.
Somalia Appoints New Deputy Ministers in Cabinet Reshuffle
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Hamza Abdi Barre has issued a decree appointing new deputy ministers to join the cabinet of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Federal and South West State Forces Seize Majority of Baidoa in Key Military Push
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- Federal government troops, working alongside South West State's "Salvation" forces, have gained control over most neighborhoods and strategic locations in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia's Bay region, following intense clashes with forces loyal to regional leader Abdicasis Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen).
Meeks, Jacobs Lead Warning to Rubio Not to End Lifesaving Assistance to 7 African Countries
- [U.S. House of Representatives] Washington, DC -- Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, joined by other Africa Subcommittee Democrats, today sent a letter to Secretary Rubio in response to public reporting that the State Department plans to end lifesaving assistance to seven African nations -- Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. The lawmakers argued that this would put millions of lives at risk, threaten regional
Southwest State Parliament Speaker Urges Restraint Amid Rising Tensions
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- The speaker of Southwest Somalia's parliament, Ali Said Fiqi, on Monday called for restraint and warned against bloodshed over political differences, urging responsible leadership as tensions escalate.
IGAD Expresses Concern Over Growing Political Tensions in Somalia's Southwest State
- [Shabelle] Djibouti -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Sunday announced it is closely monitoring the escalating political developments in Somalia's South West State, calling for immediate restraint to avert a potential crisis.
Southwest Somalia Accuses Türkiye of Role in Military Operations
- [Horn Diplomat] Mogadishu -- Authorities in Somalia's Southwest State have accused Türkiye of involvement in military operations in the region, alleging that Turkish-trained forces, equipment and drones were used in actions against the administration.
