Somalia

Somali military says airstrike kills 17 al-Shabab militants in Middle Shabelle MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali National Army, working with international partners, carried out an overnight airstrike late Monday in the Middle Shabelle region that killed 17 militants and destroyed weapons and vehicles used in attacks on civilians, the military said Tuesday. The strike hit the Jabad Godone area, which the army described as a planning site for militant operations, particularly bombings targeting civilians and public…

Somalia cancels UAE-linked security and defense deals tied to Berbera, Bosaso and Kismayo ports MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government has annulled security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates connected to several strategic ports, saying the deals violated the country’s sovereignty, national unity and political independence. The Cabinet decision cancels port-related arrangements involving Berbera, Bosaso and Kismayo Move follows an immigration probe into alleged unauthorized use of Somali territory linked…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali politicians seen as close to Qatar on Friday welcomed a federal decision to downgrade Somalia’s ties with the United Arab Emirates, applauding a move they framed as a defense of the country’s sovereignty and political independence. Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, who has lived in Turkey and Qatar since leaving office, backed the decision by the Federal Government’s Council of Ministers in a statement posted on Facebook. “I welcome the decisions issued today by the Federal Government…

Somalia suspends port, defense and security deals with UAE MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Cabinet on Monday suspended all port, defense and security agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing actions it said undermine the country’s sovereignty, unity and constitutional order. The decision was approved Jan. 12, 2026, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In an official statement, the government said the suspension covers agreements related to the administration and management…

Mogadishu — Somalia’s federal government has canceled security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates tied to the strategic ports of Berbera, Bosaso and Kismayo, citing serious violations of the country’s sovereignty, national unity and political independence. The Cabinet decision, taken Monday in Mogadishu, annuls “all agreements and cooperative arrangements” related to the three ports, according to an official statement. The move was based on “reports and strong evidence regarding wrongful actions that…

Somalia and Myanmar establish formal diplomatic relations NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — Somalia and Myanmar officially established diplomatic relations Monday, signing a joint communiqué in the Myanmar capital that opens a new diplomatic channel between East Africa and Southeast Asia. The agreement commits both countries to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. It was signed by Somali Ambassador Ali Mohamed Abukar — widely known as “Ali Wolf” — and Myanmar’s representative, Ambassador…

Israel’s unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state has jolted the Horn of Africa, triggering swift international pushback and raising fresh concerns about maritime security, legal precedent and regional stability. In Somalia, the move sparked immediate street protests. Abroad, governments across Africa, Europe and the Middle East — joined by the United States — moved quickly to restate Somalia’s territorial integrity. The African Union led with a reaffirmation of Somalia’s unity, a line…

Puntland State's Political Crisis: A Call for Unity and Dialogue In a recent address, Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni expressed grave concerns over the escalating political tensions in Somalia. He described the current situation as a direct threat to the existence of the Somali state, emphasizing the importance of unity and dialogue. The President highlighted increasing political fragmentation in Somalia. He criticized the Federal Government's policies as detrimental to national consensus. Deni…

Somalia asks Saudi Arabia to act against North Western State of Somalia leader, warns against any Israeli military presence MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has formally asked Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to take action against North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Cirro, drawing a comparison to how Riyadh has dealt with Yemen’s separatist leader Aidarus al-Zubaidi, the country’s defense minister said. Defense Minister Ahmed Macallin Fiqi, speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, said…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Monday overwhelmingly approved a national tobacco control framework, a landmark move aimed at curbing tobacco use and tackling what lawmakers and health officials describe as a growing public health threat. The House of the People backed the measure with 139 votes in favor, three abstentions and none against, signaling rare cross-party consensus on the need to rein in tobacco consumption and marketing across the country. Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, widely known…