News as at
September 6, 2026, 8:20 am
South West State Says Forces Repelled Al-Shabaab Attack On Baidoa
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- Authorities in Somalia's South West State said Thursday that government and regional forces had repelled an attack by Al-Shabaab on the strategic city of Baidoa, although rival forces claimed responsibility for the assault.
Somaliland President Departs for First Official Working Visit to United States
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro departed on Thursday for his first official working visit to the United States since taking office, the presidency said.
After the Ballot - What Democracy Must Mean for Somalia
- [African Arguments] Somali political life is intensely debated across towns, households, media platforms and diaspora communities. Yet this energy does not consistently produce the power to compel answers, reverse failed policies or remove officials whose conduct has become unacceptable. The distance between participation and political consequence remains one of Somalia's central democratic problems.
Somali Government Says Forces Repelled Attack in Baidoa
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's armed forces repelled an attack on the southwestern city of Baidoa early Thursday, the federal government said, describing the assailants as an "alliance of terrorists."
SoDMA Delivers Food Aid to More Than 4,000 Drought-Hit Families in Puntland
- [Shabelle] Bosaso, Somalia -- Somalia's National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has distributed food aid to more than 4,000 vulnerable families in several parts of the northeastern Bari region, where communities are being affected by drought conditions.
Heavy Fighting Erupts in Somalia's Baidoa As Rival Forces Clash
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- Heavy fighting erupted in the Somali city of Baidoa on Thursday between forces loyal to former South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and troops aligned with the federal government, according to local sources.
Somalia's Upper House Committee Inspects National Health Professionals Council
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Upper House Committee on Social Services conducted a working visit on Thursday to the headquarters of the National Health Professionals Council to assess its operations and role in regulating the country's health professions.
Somalia Urges Arab States to Block Wider Recognition of Somaliland
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia has urged Arab countries to use their diplomatic influence to prevent Israel's recognition of Somaliland from developing into a broader international campaign to recognise the breakaway region.
Puntland President Orders Security Crackdown in Somalia's Bari Region
- [Shabelle] Bari, Somalia -- Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni chaired a high-level security meeting in Somalia's northeastern Bari region, ordering tougher measures against illegal weapons, militant groups, piracy, trafficking and clan conflicts, the regional government said.
Somalia Urges Stronger Regional Preparedness for El Niño Risks
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia has called for stronger coordination and preparedness at the regional and district levels as the country braces for climate-related hazards and the expected impact of El Niño in 2026.
The Copyright Trap - How Fake Claims Are Silencing Independent Media and Journalists in Somalia
- [Horn Diplomat] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Independent media houses and journalists in Somalia are facing an escalating wave of online attacks and censorship, including coordinated fake copyright claims, content takedowns and demands for payment, often from individuals apparently operating inside and outside Somalia, according to an investigation by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).
South West Leader Meets Traditional Elders As Reconciliation Efforts Gather Pace
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- South West state leader Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur, widely known as Aadan Madoobe, met traditional elders at the presidential palace in Baidoa on Wednesday as efforts to promote reconciliation and social cohesion in the region continued.
SNA Probes Video of Soldiers Suffocating Bound Al-Shabaab Suspect
- [Radio Dalsan] Somalia's military opened a preliminary investigation on Tuesday after a video circulated online appeared to show members of the Somali National Army (SNA) abusing a man in custody during an operation against Al-Shabaab, the SNAF Command said in a statement, adding that the footage contravenes its Code of Conduct and the laws of armed conflict.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Calls for Global Cooperation At Belgrade Summit
- [Shabelle] Belgrade, Serbia -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday called for greater international cooperation to address conflicts, terrorism, geopolitical tensions and climate change, as he addressed a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Serbia.
Somalia Opens National Security Conference to Strengthen Coordination
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia on Tuesday opened a National Internal Security Conference in Mogadishu, bringing together senior government officials and security stakeholders to discuss efforts to strengthen internal security and build sustainable national security institutions.
Somaliland President Expected to Visit Washington As Recognition Campaign Gathers Pace
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Sept. 1 -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is expected to travel to Washington in the coming days for his first visit to the United States since taking office, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported.
Türkiye's Somalia Gamble - How Ankara's Strategic Bet On Mogadishu Could Deepen Crisis
- [Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- Somalia is approaching one of the most dangerous political moments in its post-1991 history. The confrontation between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and several Federal Member States (FMS) has moved beyond constitutional disagreement and electoral competition into an increasingly militarised struggle over who controls the Somali state. The latest violence in Baidoa offers the clearest warning yet. On 17 August, federal troops fought forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz
Somalia Sets September 30 for Galmudug, Hirshabelle Elections
- [Radio Dalsan] Electoral commission announces fresh polls for two federal member states following court ruling that annulled Galmudug's previous results.
Türkiye Pledges Continued Security and Economic Support for Somalia
- [Radio Dalsan] Turkish Ambassador Alper Aktaş says Ankara will maintain its support for Somali security forces while expanding cooperation in energy, fisheries and other strategic sectors.
Somali Intelligence Agency Says Airstrike Hits Al-Shabaab Vehicle in Lower Shabelle
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency said an airstrike targeting an Al-Shabaab vehicle in the Lower Shabelle region killed or wounded an unspecified number of militants, without providing casualty figures.
Somali President Arrives in Serbia for Talks, Non-Aligned Movement Anniversary
- [Shabelle] Belgrade, Serbia -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Serbia on Monday for talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic and to attend a high-level event marking the 65th anniversary of the first Non-Aligned Movement summit.
All of Africa Today - August 31, 2026
- [allAfrica]
Somaliland President Inspects Major Dialysis Expansion At Hargeisa Hospital
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Aug. 31 (Horndiplomat) -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, visited the dialysis unit at Hargeisa Group Hospital on Monday to inspect 12 newly installed machines aimed at expanding treatment for kidney patients.
Ukraine's Ridne Consortium Explores Berbera Port As Humanitarian Aid Hub
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa (Horndiplomat) -- A delegation from Ukraine-based RIDNE Food Consortium and the Tony Blair Institute has visited Berbera Port to assess opportunities for humanitarian food distribution and broader cooperation in Somaliland, the Somaliland Ports Authority said.
Somali Minister Urges Parliament to Advance Family and Children's Rights Bills
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, appeared before parliament again on Monday to answer lawmakers' questions on proposed legislation covering family affairs and children's rights.
Somalia, Qatar Discuss Security and Defence Cooperation
- [Shabelle] Doha -- Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, in Doha to discuss strengthening security and defence cooperation between the two countries.
Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Attends African Union Summit On Conflict Prevention
- [Shabelle] Luanda, Angola -- Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama is taking part in the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, where African leaders are discussing ways to strengthen conflict prevention and resolution across the continent.
