state

HARGEISA, Somalia — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, appealed for calm Friday after two days of unrest in the northwestern town of Boorama left multiple people dead and injured, underscoring rising clan tensions in the Awdal region. In a brief televised address, Irro condemned the violence, urged security forces to return to their barracks and pledged a “speedy and transparent” investigation into the clashes. Authorities have not released an official death toll.…

North Western State of Somalia MP accuses security forces of shooting civilians as Borama unrest leaves at least 10 dead At least 10 people were reported killed over two days of unrest in Borama, the capital of North Western State of Somalia’s Awdal region, as a lawmaker accused national security forces of deliberately shooting unarmed civilians and President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro ordered troops to return to their bases. MP Mohamed Abiib Yusuf says civilians were shot amid clashes in Borama President Irro…

Two killed as Borama protests over Xeer Ciise commemoration turn deadly North Western State of Somalia police urge calm after Saylac book event triggers unrest; accusations of excessive force mount BORAMA, North Western State of Somalia — Two young men were killed and several others injured as protests over a planned commemoration of the Xeer Ciise book in Saylac escalated in Borama from late Thursday into Friday, prompting a heightened security deployment and appeals for calm from authorities. The Xeer Ciise refers to the…

Puntland State lawmakers demand answers over unpaid salaries despite $300M-plus 2026 budget GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland State state lawmakers on Friday pressed the government to explain why civil servants have received only three months of pay this year, even as parliament approved a 2026 budget topping $300 million. During a contentious session in Garowe, members of the Puntland State State of Somalia Parliament called it unacceptable that budgets are passed annually but not fully executed. Lawmakers demanded a transparent…

Outrage in North Western State of Somalia after ex-president Muse Bihi barred at Hargeisa airport; protests erupt, rebel group announced HARGEISA, Somalia — Outrage swept through North Western State of Somalia after former leader Muse Bihi Abdi was blocked from accessing Hargeisa’s main airport in an incident supporters and analysts described as a deliberate humiliation under the administration of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Irro. Bihi, who was scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates, was prevented…

Army Rescues 12 Girls Abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State In a significant operation, troops under Operation Hadin Kai have successfully rescued 12 girls abducted by Boko Haram and ISWAP militants in the Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State. The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were kidnapped on November 23 while working in their farmlands. One girl managed to escape and return home safely, leaving 12 others in captivity. Acting on actionable intelligence, the army conducted a targeted…

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…

BOSASO, Somalia — U.S. special operations forces, working with Puntland State’s Counter-Terrorism Forces, mounted a helicopter-borne raid on an Islamic State enclave in the Cal-Miskaad mountains on Tuesday, killing senior leaders and capturing fighters, according to U.S. Africa Command and Puntland State officials. The joint operation struck targets in Baallade Valley, with troops assaulting the HabarBajuuke cave complex after an exchange of fire with militants from IS-Somalia, officials said. U.S. Africa Command said the…

US Special Forces and Puntland State counterterrorism units on Wednesday carried out a coordinated raid on an ISIS hideout in Somalia’s Balade Valley, unleashing hours of gunfire and precision drone strikes that killed a senior commander and several militants, according to security sources. The joint operation inserted dozens of US troops by MH-60 helicopters and used MQ-9 Reaper drones to hit targets across the Habarbakuuje and Mareero areas of the valley, where intelligence indicated a fortified base was housing 10 to 15…

Puntland State police officer and rickshaw driver killed in Garowe crash; presidential guard arrested after attempting to flee GAROWE, Somalia — A Puntland State police officer and a rickshaw driver were killed late Monday in a collision in central Garowe involving a vehicle driven by a presidential guard reported to be a close relative of the Puntland State president, authorities said. The crash occurred around 11 p.m. when the guard’s vehicle struck a rickshaw, according to a statement from the Puntland State Police…