Six people were killed in a communal war that erupted again in Luuq district

Reports from Luuq district in Gedo region say that a fierce communal war broke out again this morning in and around Luuq town.

The fighting is reported to be heavy and the two tribal militias are using different types of weapons, and the strength of the fighting is reported to be still going on in the outskirts of Bari in Luuq district.

The war is between the two communities that recently fought in the district, and it is said that the war caused various losses.

It has been confirmed that 6 people, including civilians and the two militias, have died in the ongoing battle in Luuq district of Gedo region, which is one of the two tribal militias that have been fighting each other in the district for the past few months.

The latest reports also say that the fight broke out this morning in Luuq district and its soldiers are some of the police officers operating in that city.

A meeting to reconcile these two communities that took place this month in Kisnayo town has failed, after the meeting after this war will be the second between these communities in Luuq district of Gedo region.

 

Somali PM inaugurates country's largest emergency and trauma centre

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre inaugurated the country’s largest emergency and trauma centre at Madina Hospital in Mogadishu on Tuesday to improve healthcare for the nation.

The state-of-the-art facility, which can accommodate up to 200 patients at a time, includes specialized units for patient care, emergency treatment and childbirth.

The new centre is expected to play a critical role in providing emergency care, particularly to Somali soldiers and civilians affected by ongoing conflicts with armed groups.

The centre was funded by donations from the Somali people in the wake of the devastating Zube II bombing in October 2022, which killed more than 100 people.

The National Emergency Committee led the initiative in collaboration with federal ministries, the Somali Disaster Management Agency and local civil society organizations.

Prime Minister Barre expressed the government’s commitment to expanding Somalia’s healthcare infrastructure, highlighting additional recent projects, including a blood storage centre, an emergency response unit, and multiple health centres.

Barre affirmed his administration's commitment to complete the construction and equipping of the country's largest hospital to ensure comprehensive healthcare services to the Somali people

 Beledweyne blast kills one, injures seven in attack on local restaurant

At least one civilian was killed, and seven others were injured following an explosion targeting a popular restaurant in the Howlwadaag neighbourhood of Beledweyne town, Hiiraan region, on Tuesday. 

The restaurant, frequented by young locals, particularly football players, was the scene of the bomb blast, which left nearby residents in shock.

Security forces arrived at the site hours after the explosion to investigate but did not report any arrests. 

Tensions have been escalating in Beledweyne in recent weeks as last night gunmen killed a Somali National Army soldier, Abdirahman Ali Kaar, and took away his AK-47 rifle in the Koshin neighborhood.

 Mogadishu police presented three people accused of theft

The Somali police forces conducted operations in Mogadishu and arrested three men accused of stealing public property.

The operation in which these three men were arrested took place in Wadajir district of Mogadishu, and a statement issued by the command of the general police department in Banadir region said that the arrested men are part of a network accused of stealing public livestock.

The command also said that men used to steal live animals, especially goats, which they used to take in luxury cars.

"The Somali police forces, especially the Wadajir police station, have arrested three suspects who are accused of stealing livestock, especially goats," said a statement issued by the Banadir Police Command.

The arrest of these men was indicated to have been made possible by videos broadcast on social media and recorded by the government's CCTV cameras that have already ordered the closure of commercial areas and houses located on important roads in Mogadishu.

The command of the general part of Banadir region also said that the men will be brought to justice, so that strict action can be taken against them, and the command called on the people of Mogadishu to inform them of everything that is against the security of Mogadishu.

 Al-Shabaab members who surrendered today to government forces in Bay region

Members of the Al-Shabaab group surrendered to the Somali army, especially the 47th unit of the 8th brigade of the 60th division in Goofgaduud Burey area. Bay region.

The members of Al-Shabaab who surrendered to the country's armed forces have been identified as Robow Abdiyow Hassan and Nurow Tukow Manur, who have been part of the group for some time. 

The two men are said to have participated in battles that took place in different regions of the country. 

The commander of the 47th unit of the 8th battalion of the 60th division of the country's forces, Ahmed Mohamed Nur Dhagey, confirmed to reporters that these members surrendered at a place approximately 18 km away from Goof Gaduud Buurey area in the Bay region. 

Surrendering of Al-Shabaab men is increasing, as recently there has been an increase in the number of members who defected from the Al-Shabaab group who are surrendering to the hands of different parts of the armed forces.

 Somali National Army kills senior al-Shabab commander in Lower Jubba operation

Somali National Army (SNA) forces, supported by Jubbaland Dervishes, killed a senior al-Shabab leader in a planned operation in northern Lower Jubba on Friday, according to government sources.

The joint military operation targeted al-Shabab members gathering in the Dharkeen Urur and Orgiyow areas of Lower Jubba region. 

Among those killed was Mohamud Ali Hussein, known within al-Shabab by the alias "Qayliyow." He was reportedly responsible for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and coordinating landmine placements and camp surveys for future attacks.

"Mahamud Ali Hussein, known to locals as 'Gobe,' was killed in a strategic operation. As a key figure in the group, he oversaw intelligence, landmines, and targeted attacks, shedding innocent blood in the region," the Federal Government stated.

The operation follows recent reports from the Somali Defense Ministry that over 95 al-Shabab fighters were killed in separate operations in Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and the north-central Mudug province.

 Somalia's Danab Forces kill 12 al-Shabab militants in central Somalia

Somalia's elite Danab Commando Force killed 12 al-Shabab militants and wounded another 12 during a planned operation in the central Galgadud region, the federal government announced on Thursday.

The operation took place in the Gerile area, located within the Eldher district, where al-Shabab fighters had been hiding with plans to carry out attacks. 

The government statement confirmed the success of the operation, stating, "12 conspirators were killed while 22 others were injured in an operation carried out today by the army in the forest area around the Gerile area, located east of the Galgaduud region."

Over the past two weeks, the Somali National Army (SNA) has conducted operations across Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and Mudug, killing more than 95 militants. Earlier this month, over 100 al-Shabab fighters were also killed, bringing the total number of militants eliminated to 254 in October's operations.

Former Swedish Radio journalist Amon Abdullahi killed by gunmen in Somalia

Former Swedish Radio journalist Amon Abdullahi killed by gunmen in Somalia

Amun Abdullahi, a former Swedish Radio journalist known for her bold investigative reporting on Al-Shabaab recruitment, was shot dead by masked gunmen on Saturday in the town of Afgoye, northwest of the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Abdullahi, 49, was ambushed by the attackers, who fled the scene immediately. Authorities have yet to identify suspects or a motive for the killing, but the area has seen multiple attacks by al-Shabaab.

Amoun Abdulle, of Somali origin, sought asylum in Sweden in 1992 and spent many years working in the Somali language department of Swedish Radio. In 2009, she gained notoriety for exposing Al-Shabaab recruitment from the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby.

Her groundbreaking investigation revealed that a youth leader at a local centre was directly involved in recruiting members for the armed group but her investigations sparked widespread controversy.

After the backlash, she left Sweden and returned to Somalia more than a decade ago. There, she focused on community development, running projects to empower women and setting up a farm to boost local agriculture. Despite the danger, she remained committed to contributing to the growth and recovery of her homeland. Somali authorities have launched an investigation into her death, but no arrests have been made

 

 At least ten al-Shabab militants killed in central Somalia

At least ten al-Shabaab militants were killed in a heavy clash between Somali government forces and the militant group in central Somalia on Tuesday. 

The fighting erupted after al-Shabaab launched an attack on a rural area between Bod and Budbud in the Galgadud region.

Ahmed Abdulle Adan, a government official from the area, told local media that the Somali army successfully repelled the attack, resulting in the death of ten al-Shabaab militants. He also mentioned that the local military is now conducting operations to track down any remaining group members in the vicinity.

No casualties were reported among the government forces, and the battle, which lasted nearly an hour, involved the use of various weapons by both sides.

 

Al-Shabaab elements arrested in Mogadishu

The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISS) announced in a statement on Sunday that it had arrested three Al-Shabaab members who were creating security problems in the capital, Mogadishu.

The agency indicated that it received information about the aforementioned individuals, which led to their arrest and the confiscation of weapons in their possession, as well as two tuk-tuks and a motorcycle that they used to escape when committing acts that undermine security.

The statement explained that those arrested were members of a network of Al-Shabaab elements whose mission was to stir up security unrest in Mogadishu, noting that most of the network members had been arrested while the agency continues to track down the rest.

 NISA and International Partners kill 40 al-Shabab militants in joint operation

Somali security forces, backed by international partners, killed 40 Al-Shabaab militants, including a senior commander, during a 24-hour operation targeting key hideouts in Middle Shabelle and Galgadud, in what officials are calling a significant blow to the militant group's leadership.

The operation, which lasted more than 24 hours, targeted militant positions in Yaaqle, Middle Shabelle, and Garile in Galgadud. 

Among those killed was a senior Al-Shabaab leader, Moalin Arow, whom NISA identified as the mastermind behind several recent attacks. His death is considered a key victory for Somali forces as they continue to dismantle Al-Shabaab's command structure.

 Somali forces kill 30 al-Shabab militants in Mudug region

Somali government forces, backed by local militias, killed at least 30 al-Shabab militants during a military operation in the south of the Mudug region, the Ministry of Information announced on Saturday. 

Mohamed Bashir Muse, known as Mukhtar, who led al-Shabab's military forces in the area, and Maadey Foodey, responsible for preparing explosives to terrorize local populations in the Mudug region, were among the militants killed in the operation in Qay'ad village. 

The ministry's statement also reported that 40 other militants were wounded during the operation, which is part of the government's ongoing offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked group.

The operation follows a deadly suicide bombing in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, just two days earlier. A bomber targeted a crowded restaurant near the General Kaahiye Police Academy, killing seven people and injuring six others. 

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, continuing its long-standing campaign of violence aimed at toppling Somalia's government.

 At least seven killed in suicide bombing near Mogadishu's School Polizia

At least seven people, including soldiers and civilians, were killed, and six others injured when a suicide bomber targeted a slum village near the School Polizia in Mogadishu on Thursday. 

Somali police confirmed the attack occurred around 3:27 p.m., stating that six others were wounded, most with minor injuries. 

"A suicide bomber exploded in the slum area where residents were staying under trees. Seven deaths, including soldiers and civilians, have been confirmed," the police reported.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

 Somali forces eliminate 10 al-Shabaab fighters in southern Mudug operation

Somalia's special forces successfully neutralized several Al-Shabaab militants during a planned operation near the village of Qey'ad in the southern Mudug region, the Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday.

According to miltary officials, at least 10 suspected Al-Shabaab fighteres were killed.

The operation, part of a broader military campaign to dismantle the militant group, aimed to enhance security in the region and protect Somali citizens. According to the ministry's statement, Somali National Army troops achieved their objective, significantly weakening the presence of Al-Shabaab in the area.

"The Somali National Army remains fully committed to combating terrorism and ensuring the population's safety," the Ministry of Defense said, emphasizing its dedication to restoring peace and stability.

The ministry added that additional details about the operation will be disclosed once a comprehensive assessment is completed. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by government forces to root out Al-Shabaab from rural areas and bolster national security.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, has been fighting to overthrow the Somali government and impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. Somali security forces, backed by international partners, continue to mount operations to diminish the group's capabilities.

 Deadly clan conflict in Mudug leaves four dead, 11 injured

A violent clan conflict broke out on Monday in the Mudug region, resulting in four deaths and leaving 11 others injured, according to local reports.

The clash occurred in villages near the Do'oleey area, involving two rival clan militias from Adado and Galkayo. The conflict reportedly stemmed from a dispute over grazing land, escalating into a deadly confrontation.

No official response has been issued by the Galmudug regional administration concerning the incident.

Clan conflicts are frequent in the Mudug and Galgaduud regions, often driven by disputes over land ownership. These clashes continue to cause significant casualties and instability in the area.

 Somalia clamps down on drone flights over Aden Adde Airport

Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has banned all drone activity within a five-nautical-mile radius of Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport, citing heightened security concerns and the need to protect flight operations out of the country's busiest airport.

The five-nautical-mile radius around Aden Abdulle International Airport, covering approximately 9.26 kilometres, includes much of central Mogadishu. Key areas such as Hodan, Hamar Weyne, Waberi, and parts of Madina and Boondheere fall within this restricted zone, affecting densely populated districts and critical infrastructure like Mogadishu University and Banadir Hospital. 

The directive, which took effect on October 7 and will remain in place until December 5, 2024, was announced via an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). "UAS operations are prohibited within a 5 NM radius of HCMM ARP unless authorized by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority," the notice stated.

The SCAA emphasized the importance of adhering to the directive, warning that non-compliance would result in legal consequences. The ban aims to prevent potential threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which could disrupt air traffic or be exploited for malicious activities. "Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, and any violations will be met with legal action," said an SCAA spokesperson.

Aden Adde International Airport plays an essential role in Somalia's connection to the wider world. It handles numerous commercial flights and serves as a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid.

 Somali army kills 25 al-Shabab militants in Middle Shabelle operation

Somali National Army (SNA) killed 25 Al-Shabab militants during a military operation in Ras Qabow, a rural area in the Middle Shabelle region, on Saturday.

The commander of the 251st unit of the 25th brigade, Mohamed Hassan Abukar Dhaladheere, stated that the operation began after Somali forces repelled an attack by the militant group. A fierce battle ensued between the army and the militants.

"The National Army heroes taught a lesson to the Khawarij [a term used by the government for Al-Shabab] after they attempted to attack the army base in Ras Qabow. Twenty-five militants were killed," said Commander Dhaladheere. He added that forces continue to pursue other group members involved in the attack.

The operation comes a few days after SNA forces killed 59 militants in two separate operations in the Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. Working alongside local militias and international partners, the SNA killed 32 militants in the Garilay area and 27 in Yaaqle, near Hawadlay.

 Clashes between rival forces in Hiiraan leave one soldier dead, another injured

At least one soldier was killed and another injured during a clash between forces from the Hiiraan State administration and Hirshabelle State administration in Beledweyne, Hiiraan region, on Friday morning. 

The fighting erupted at Lamagalay camp, the headquarters of the Hiiraan region, as Hirshabelle forces reportedly attempted to disrupt the first anniversary celebrations of the Hiiraan State administration, scheduled for Saturday, according to Hiiraan officials.

Tensions have been high since Hiiraan Governor Ali Jeyte Osman declared Hiiraan independent from Hirshabelle State following his dismissal by Hirshabelle State President Ali Abdullahi Hussein in June 2023.

Traditional elders and intellectuals intervened to stop the fighting, bringing temporary calm to the area, but residents fear that renewed clashes are possible due to the proximity of the two rival forces.

 Somali army intensifies operations against al-Shabaab in Bay and Bakool regions

The Somali National Army, spearheaded by the 47th Battalion of the 8th Brigade, has heightened its operations against Al-Shabaab militants in the Bay and Bakool regions, targeting key strongholds. These operations, which took place in Elsharif, Mooro-Busle, and El-Mareere—strategic locations between Bardaale and Goofguduud Buurey—are part of a continuous effort to secure the South West State, military officials reported.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Mohamed Nur, commander of the 47th Battalion, stated that the operations aim to enhance regional security and stability. Although the military inflicted heavy casualties on Al-Shabaab fighters, exact figures were not provided. “Our goal is to dismantle their network in these regions completely,” Nur said, adding that operations will continue in the coming days.

The offensive follows the killing of 59 Al-Shabaab members, including high-ranking commanders and fighters, in separate operations across the Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions earlier this week. The Somali government has vowed to sustain pressure on the militant group as part of its strategy to restore order across central and southern Somalia .

While the army reports success in these missions, the humanitarian impact on local populations remains unclear. Analysts suggest continued military pressure on Al-Shabaab could weaken its influence in these regions. However, more comprehensive efforts may be needed to address the group’s hold on rural communities.

The operations mark a renewed push by the Somali government to curb the group’s activities with the assistance of international partners. Al-Shabaab remains a potent threat, often launching retaliatory attacks despite significant losses in its ranks.