Somalia

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump used his Thanksgiving message to attack Somali-Americans and propose sweeping new immigration restrictions, singling out Minnesota and offering no evidence for claims that refugees are driving crime and economic turmoil. In remarks posted online, Trump asserted that “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota,” and described “Somalian gangs” roaming the streets. He did not provide data to support the statements. He also…

MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday hosted a dinner in Mogadishu honoring religious scholars who attended the 3rd Somali Scholars Conference, underscoring a deepening partnership between the government and faith leaders to counter extremist ideologies, bolster public awareness and strengthen national unity. In remarks at the event, Mohamud praised the scholars’ longstanding role in Somali society and governance, saying their guidance, advice and moral leadership remain essential as the country…

KISMAYO, Somalia — Jubaland’s regional administration on Saturday condemned the federal government for airlifting National Intelligence and Security Agency troops to Garbaharey, a move it labeled provocative amid ongoing counterterrorism operations and delicate political talks with Mogadishu. Multiple reports said the federal forces were flown into the southern town on Friday. Footage circulating on local channels showed armed personnel disembarking at the Garbaharey airstrip. Mogadishu has not issued an official…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s push toward a unified, secure and inclusive digital identity gathered fresh momentum as government leaders, development partners and technology stakeholders mapped the next phase of the national ID rollout at the 2nd Somali National ID Conference, held Nov. 24-25 in the capital. Convened by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, the conference underscored how the country’s digital ID program has…

BOSASO, Somalia — The U.S. Africa Command has sharply escalated airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia in the country’s northeast this year, conducting 59 strikes on Islamic State-aligned targets in Puntland State’s Bari region as part of a broader campaign that has reached 101 airstrikes across Somalia in 2025, compared with just 10 in all of 2024, according to statements shared with Fox News Digital. 101 U.S. airstrikes in Somalia so far this year, targeting ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab 59 strikes specifically against…

NAIROBI, Kenya — U.S. airstrikes in Somalia have surged more than tenfold this year under the Trump administration, with U.S. Africa Command saying it has conducted 101 strikes so far in 2025, compared with 10 missions in all of 2024 under President Biden. AFRICOM confirmed the figures to Fox News Digital and said operations are targeting ISIS-Somalia cells and the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab insurgency. The latest operation unfolded Tuesday in Puntland State, northeastern Somalia, where AFRICOM said it carried out an…

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has condemned the spread of illegal checkpoints across the region, calling them a major threat to civilian movement and safety and urging communities to back justice and stabilization efforts. Laftagareen said armed individuals obstructing travelers on public roads is “unacceptable,” especially as South West State navigates severe drought and recurring conflict that continue to disrupt livelihoods and strain security. “It is unacceptable…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali special forces and regional security units said they killed a senior al-Shabab commander during a planned nighttime operation in the Jamaame district of the Lower Jubba region, as government-aligned troops intensified a weeks-long push to retake areas long held by the militants. Jubbaland authorities said Friday that Danab commandos, operating alongside Jubbaland’s Dervish forces, targeted a group of al-Shabab fighters late Thursday and killed a commander identified as Farah Jibriil and seven…

MOGADISHU — Somalia has acceded to the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), a step the federal government says will upgrade the country’s maritime safety, search-and-rescue capacity and technological integration across its busy coastline. Ports and Marine Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nor deposited Somalia’s instrument of accession during a meeting with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez on the sidelines of the IMO Assembly’s 34th regular…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has arrested 11 people accused of plotting terrorist attacks and conducting espionage against the government and civilians, the agency said Thursday, describing a covert cell disrupted in Mogadishu and across parts of Lower and Middle Shabelle. In a statement, NISA said the suspects were allegedly in the advanced stages of planning violence and gathering intelligence to enable attacks. The arrests followed what the agency called a sophisticated,…