Somalia

Mogadishu airport was hit by at least one mortar shell shortly before Abiy's plane landed on Thursday, despite all roads around the high security complex being closed, four local residents and media said.

Mogadishu was under an overnight lockdown ahead of PM Abiy’s arrival, with major roads in and around the airport closed off and movement restricted.

Accordingly, the composition of AUSSOM troops will be as follows: Uganda (4,500), Ethiopia (2,500), Djibouti (1,520), Kenya (1,410), with Egypt (1,091) as a new troop-contributing country.

Without the timely disbursement of funds, AUSSOM’s effectiveness is at risk, potentially reversing the gains made in countering Al-Shabaab insurgents and stabilising Somalia.

Al Shabaab attacked four villages in the Middle Shabelle region with vehicles laden with explosives on Thursday morning, and briefly captured two of them before being repulsed in heavy fighting, two local residents and a defence ministry spokesperson said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compared the Ankara Declaration to the Development Road project, calling it a similarly strategic initiative with the potential to foster long-term stability and economic growth.

The recruitment campaigns targeted regional member states and Yemen, attempting to integrate foreign terrorist fighters into structured hierarchies.

The crisis is already forcing families to leave their homes in search of food, water, and medical aid, raising concerns about displacement and worsening protection risks.

The airstrike authorised by President Donald Trump was meant to degrade ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks, a top priority for his administration.

The airstrike is part of a broader effort by Puntland security forces, who have been actively liberating vast areas from ISIS control for more than a month.

The force entered the theatre without adequate funding and troops following the lingering stalemate over which states would be allowed to send troops to Somalia.

Under the new rule, all travellers, regardless of nationality or age, must present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate when entering or exiting the country. The vaccination must be administered at least 10 days before travel to ensure immunity.

The unfolding humanitarian situation in Kiunga has put a strain on the host community, with Lamu County now seeking additional support from national and international aid agencies to avert a full-blown crisis.

The US has periodically conducted airstrikes in Somalia under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

A similar agreement is set to be signed with Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party (PP) in Addis Ababa on Friday.

Abdiwali dismissed any concerns about election interference, stating that the government's focus extends beyond just the upcoming elections.

In line with the directive, the police have launched sweeping operations to arrest all undocumented foreigners and enforce a ban on street begging which was also cited by the Ministry as a security concern.

Local residents and soldiers gathered to look at the grim sight, holding their noses because of the smell from the carcasses.

The meeting, held in Cairo, marked a pivotal step in strengthening cooperation between the two nations across a range of areas, including trade, culture, and security.

In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Ilyas accused Somalia of deliberately undermining Puntland's efforts to combat the terrorist group.

At Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, around 200 passengers scheduled to travel to Mogadishu were stranded early Wednesday morning.

The drought affected 7.9 million people—nearly half the population of the country—and brought the country to the brink of famine.

The former President highlighted the dangers of unilateral actions, particularly in relation to constitutional amendments and electoral processes.

Reports indicate that Ahmed will meet with ambassadors from the international community in Kenya to discuss political issues affecting Somalia.

The fierce fighting that has so far killed over 40 terrorists deep inside a rugged mountain where forces are battling a resurgent ISIS militant in Puntland State of Somalia.

AUSSOM replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), marking a critical phase in transferring national security responsibilities to Somali forces.

The leaders accused President Hassan of going against a parliamentary censure motion he sponsored against Ethiopia when it signed a maritime agreement with Somaliland.

Puntland officials say hundreds of ISIS fighters from the Middle East have been sneaking into its eastern rugged Golis and Alimiskaad mountainous region.

The five prisoners are in jail to serve various sentences for murder committed three months ago with the main suspect sentenced to death by firing squad.

If elected, Somalia pledged to strengthen the AU's peacekeeping efforts by sharing "valuable lessons learned from its own experience fighting the terror group, Al-Shabaab."

Farhia, a well-known Somali celebrity, passed away in Mogadishu on Wednesday morning after a brief illness.

The development follows high-level talks in Mogadishu led by Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed, who visited the Somali capital for discussions aimed at deepening security cooperation.

The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), marking a critical phase in transferring national security responsibilities to Somali forces.

Somalia hopes to use the position to influence regional security and advance counter-terrorism efforts by pushing for funding for the new African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which kicked off operations Wednesday.

AUSSOM is designed to contain about 11,000 personnel comprising civilians, military, and police personnel.

Mohamed was al-Shabaab's finance boss during the Westgate Mall (2013) and Dusit (2019) terror attacks.

US expressed reservations about the proposed budgetary framework for transitioning from AMISOM to ATMIS under Resolution 2719.

The Somali government clarified that the current troop allocation for AUSSOM was finalised through bilateral agreements that have been in place since November.

The hotel will feature 321 luxury accommodations, including 261 guest rooms and 60 serviced apartments. Amenities will include a fitness centre, spa, multiple dining options, and a convention centre.

The lawmakers specifically warned the Federal Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and SCAA who are both responsible for civil aviation matters in the country for accepting to be dragged into politics and accepting to be used for political gains.

The Somali leader finds himself in a diplomatic quandary. Following Ethiopia's MoU with the breakaway region of Somaliland on January 1, 2024, which promised the landlocked nation access to the sea, Somalia launched a vigorous regional and international diplomatic campaign.

As a result of the flight restrictions, hundreds of passengers are now stranded at airports in Mogadishu and Kismayo.

The inclusion of both Egypt and Ethiopia in the peacekeeping mission presents a diplomatic tightrope for Somalia.

The statement detailed how Ethiopian forces targeted “three key bases manned by the Somali National Army, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), and the Somali Police Force,” resulting in “casualties, including fatalities and injuries”.

The evolving dynamics among Somalia, Egypt, and Ethiopia signal broader geopolitical changes in the region, with the African Union playing a central role in supporting peace and security initiatives.

The visit follows a landmark agreement brokered by Turkey to diffuse tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, marking a renewed commitment to cooperation and mutual respect.

The reshuffle marks a significant shift in Somalia’s government, raising questions about the future direction of its oil and gas exploration initiatives amid ongoing political tensions.

Successfully holding civic elections in Mogadishu would be a landmark achievement, especially given the city’s turbulent history.

In June this year, Somalia won a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and will begin its two-year term in 2025.