Somali

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey has deployed F-16 fighter jets to support the Somali National Army, Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said Wednesday, describing the move as a significant step in strengthening the country’s air capabilities and counterterrorism operations. Announcing the deployment during a handover ceremony for the new army chief at the defense ministry in Mogadishu, Fiqi said the aircraft will provide strategic backing for ongoing security campaigns. “The arrival of Turkey’s F-16s marks a significant…

GALKAYO, Somalia — Authorities in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland State region on Tuesday executed a woman convicted of murdering a 14-year-old domestic worker, a rare use of the death penalty against a woman that has reignited nationwide debate over child protection and household labor. Hodan Mohamud Diiriye, 34, was shot by firing squad in the central city of Galkayo after a court found she beat to death teenager Saabirin Saylaan late last year. Officials said the sentence was carried out under qisas, an Islamic legal…

Somalia pledges inclusive dialogue as Jubaland, Puntland State allege flight blocks ahead of election talks MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to preserving national unity and advancing an inclusive political dialogue, even as tensions rise with the Jubaland and Puntland State regional administrations over security arrangements before planned election talks. In a statement, the government said it remains fully committed to an open, broad and constructive consultative…

Somalia is often framed through conflict and crisis. But the country’s most consequential emergency lies in the quiet, daily erosion of women’s safety, dignity and power. Gender-based violence is not a subplot to Somalia’s turmoil; it is a central driver of its fragility—and the clearest test of whether recovery is real or rhetorical. Strip away the headlines and a pattern emerges. Historically, wealth flowed through livestock held by men; women’s labor—processing and selling milk and ghee—sustained families but rarely…

Somalia’s minister of endowments and religious affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, visited the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah on Tuesday to review Saudi Arabia’s efforts to print, translate and disseminate the Holy Qur’an worldwide. During the visit, Sheikh Mukhtar received a detailed briefing on the complex’s mandates and specialized production lines, including its work across editions of varying sizes and recitations, as well as translations of the meanings of the Qur’an into multiple languages. Officials…

Somalia parliament descends into chaos as opposition blocks constitutional debate in Mogadishu MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house erupted into chaos Monday as opposition lawmakers shut down the opening of a debate on sweeping constitutional amendments, occupying the speaker’s seat, blocking entrances to the chamber and forcing the suspension of proceedings. The confrontation came as Parliament prepared to take up proposed changes to chapters five through nine of the provisional constitution — a politically charged package…

Somalia blocks planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security teams from landing in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Monday blocked two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, citing national security concerns ahead of planned political talks in the capital. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the arrival of a heavily armed contingent tied to the two regional leaders posed an…

Somalia bars planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security from Mogadishu ahead of talks MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Sunday defended its decision to block two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing in Mogadishu, citing strict protocols in place for the capital ahead of a planned national consultative meeting. The Ministry of Interior said the aircraft were transporting armed personnel and weapons in violation of security rules governing…

Somali president consults Cabinet after aircraft carrying leaders’ guards turned back MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has launched closed-door consultations with his Cabinet after aircraft carrying advance security personnel for the presidents of Puntland State and Jubaland were denied clearance to land in Mogadishu, a move that has intensified strains with the federal member states. Government officials said the talks are focused on the political, security and governance implications of the…

MOGADISHU — Mogadishu City Club and Horseed Sports Club will contest the Jaranaal Da’uud Tournament final on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, with the Somali Football Federation unveiling an updated format that guarantees a decisive result on the day — extra time and, if needed, penalties — as part of a broader bid to raise standards across the domestic game. In a letter signed by SFF Chairman Ali Shiino and circulated Saturday, the federation confirmed both clubs’ participation in the final and detailed the match regulations designed…