LAS ANOD, Somalia — Authorities in Somalia’s Northeastern State have dismissed as fabricated a video circulating on social media that purports to show Al-Shabab militants operating near Las Anod, calling it an artificial-intelligence–manipulated attempt to spread fear and misinformation.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Northeastern Somali Police Force labeled the footage “fake,” saying it was crudely assembled from unrelated online clips and altered with AI tools. Police rejected claims that any portion was filmed in or around Las Anod or that the individuals shown had links to Al-Shabab.
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The short video shows five masked individuals in military-style clothing carrying weapons. Posts that accompanied the footage alleged the men were Al-Shabab fighters near the city. Police said those assertions were false and part of a broader effort to mislead residents and undermine confidence in local security.
Investigators cited several indicators of manipulation. According to the police, the landscape seen in the footage — including vegetation patterns and soil color — does not match Las Anod or its surroundings. They said the audio track was added in post-production and that multiple clips were spliced together to create a misleading narrative.
One widely shared image — an armed man standing on aircraft wreckage — was also flagged by authorities as digitally altered. The wreck itself, police said, is an old, long-standing site near Las Anod, but the image circulating online was edited to distort context.
The Northeastern Police Command reiterated that there is no presence, base or operational activity linked to terrorist groups anywhere in the Northeastern regions of Somalia. Officials said Las Anod and surrounding districts remain calm, with local administration functioning and development programs ongoing.
Security agencies said they remain fully engaged in safeguarding the public and countering attempts to destabilize the region, whether through violence or disinformation campaigns. Authorities emphasized that the viral clip is part of an effort to intimidate residents and erode trust in institutions by exploiting the speed and reach of social media.
Police urged residents to be vigilant about false content and to verify claims before sharing them online. They called on the public to cooperate with authorities by reporting individuals or networks involved in creating or distributing fabricated or defamatory material.
- What authorities say: The video is “fake,” assembled from unrelated footage and altered with AI; its setting and sound do not match Las Anod.
- What the clip shows: Five masked, armed individuals — presented online as Al-Shabab near the city — which police say is inaccurate.
- On-the-ground status: No known Al-Shabab presence in Northeastern regions; Las Anod described as calm with normal administrative functions.
- Public guidance: Be wary of disinformation, avoid amplifying unverified posts and report suspicious content to local security services.
The statement comes amid growing regional concerns about AI-enabled disinformation and the ease with which fabricated security threats can gain traction online. Officials said they will continue to monitor and respond to misleading narratives that seek to incite fear or disrupt daily life in the Northeastern State.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
