Somalia

North Western State of Somalia declares coordinated internet price hike illegal North Western State of Somalia’s government has ruled that a recent, simultaneous internet price increase by telecommunications companies was unlawful and incompatible with the region’s free‑market system. A ministerial committee said the coordinated move lacked legal basis and was reversed within days after public backlash across major towns and online. Officials said prices must reflect competition and market forces, not joint action by service…

Somalia’s space ambitions meet environmental realities Somalia’s coastline and equatorial latitude have thrust Bashaqle, in Middle Shabelle, into conversations about an African launch site. The prospect promises strategic access to orbit and a pathway into the global space economy. It also brings complex environmental, health, and governance questions that must be addressed before ignition. Equatorial launches reduce fuel needs and enable heavier payloads to orbit, making Bashaqle geographically attractive. Turkey’s…

Somalia meet Bahrain in a timely test ahead of regional fixtures Somalia face Bahrain in a friendly on Monday at 6:30 p.m. local time at Bahrain National Stadium, a tune-up with immediate stakes for the hosts and long-term value for the visitors. The match arrives two days before Bahrain’s Arab Cup qualifier against Djibouti in Doha, and offers Somalia a rare window to build cohesion and benchmark progress. Both staff groups see the fixture as an examination as much as a contest. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bahrain…

Airstrikes Reported on Al-Shabaab-Held Jamame as Somali Forces Advance KISMAYO, Somalia — Multiple airstrikes struck the Al-Shabaab-held town of Jamame in Lower Jubba on Friday, local sources and witnesses said, coming during a coordinated operation that included ground actions by the Somali National Army (SNA) and allied regional forces. What happened Residents and local media reported a series of precision strikes on positions in Jamame. Some accounts identified the strikes as being carried out with support from the US…

Somali regional forces kill at least seven al‑Shabaab militants in Galgaduud clash MOGADISHU, Somalia — Regional forces in central Somalia said they killed at least seven al‑Shabaab fighters during a fierce overnight clash in the Ceelahelay area of Galgaduud, marking one of the most significant engagements in months as the campaign against the insurgent group continues. The clash Galmudug state’s Darwish Forces fought with al‑Shabaab in Ceelahelay, with support from Somali national troops, regional commanders said Sunday.…

Somalia Confirms Data Breach in Newly Launched E-TAS System MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency confirmed on Sunday that personal data belonging to some travelers who used the country’s recently launched Electronic Travel Authorization System (E-TAS) was exposed following a security breach. In an official statement the agency said the platform had been hit by an “unauthorized and illegal intrusion,” prompting immediate suspension of the system while authorities work to limit the impact.…

Somalia says E-Visa has choked ISIS travel pipeline Somalia’s defense minister says a new national E-Visa system has sharply curtailed the movement of ISIS fighters into the country’s northeast, where the group has long maintained a foothold in the Calmiskaad mountains. Ahmed Moallin Fiqi said that since the digital visa rollout, no foreign ISIS members have entered Somalia to join militants in the remote range. The statement underscores Mogadishu’s bid to tighten border controls after years of porosity exploited by…

Somalia faces a growth squeeze as international aid ebb slows recovery Somalia’s recent economic gains now face a stark test: a sharp drop in development assistance from major donors that, according to the country’s finance minister, has reduced projected growth from roughly 4% in 2024 to nearly 1% in 2025. That slowdown is not simply a statistical wobble. It is a signal that Somalia’s fragile, donor-dependent development model is colliding with new global priorities and domestic limits to revenue generation. From aid-led…

Somalia: Puntland State Police Arrest Woman in Killing of 14-Year-Old Girl MUDUG, Somalia – Puntland State police have arrested a 34-year-old woman who has confessed to killing a 14-year-old girl, authorities said on Friday. Arrest and alleged confession Police in Puntland State took Hodan Mahmoud Dirie into custody shortly after the body of Saabirin Saylan Abdulle was found, officials said. Dirie will be formally presented in court as investigators continue their inquiries. Evidence found during investigation…

UK warns travellers of conflicting visa rules across Somalia after federal e-visa rollout North Western State of Somalia and Puntland State reject Mogadishu’s system, creating airport confusion The United Kingdom has cautioned its citizens to expect inconsistent and sometimes conflicting visa requirements across Somalia after the federal government launched a new e-visa system that regional authorities in North Western State of Somalia and Puntland State say they will not honor. In updated guidance, the UK Foreign,…