Baidoa (WDN) — Heavy fighting has erupted inside Baidoa, transforming the capital of South West State into the latest and most dramatic flashpoint in Somalia’s deepening political and security crisis. The clashes are reportedly pitting forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” against forces aligned with the Federal Government of...
Hargeisa (WDN) — Somaliland has adopted a notably measured diplomatic posture following a visit to Las Anod by a United Nations delegation, acknowledging the mission while strongly implying that the visit was undertaken with the knowledge and approval of Somaliland authorities. In a statement issued in English, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remained...
Mogadishu (WDN) — Shock and despair are spreading through the Buulo Eelaay neighborhood of Waaberi district, where hundreds of mostly low-income families say they have been ordered to leave homes they have occupied for decades, amid fears that bulldozers could soon arrive to demolish the properties. Residents say they were given only a few days...
Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s newly elected Speaker of the House of the People, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur “Jama,” has begun efforts to reach out to lawmakers opposed to the Federal Government’s political agenda, in what could become an important first step toward healing the deep divisions within Somalia’s parliament. Jama has reportedly held a private meeting...
Mogadishu (WDN) — Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has launched a scathing assessment of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s tenure, accusing the administration of wasting four years and three months while Somalia has experienced rising unemployment, inflation, poverty and displacement. Khaire argued that the country’s economic performance has deteriorated significantly since Hassan Sheikh returned...
Mogadishu (WDN) — The United States has appointed Ruth Anne Stevens-Klitz as the new Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Somalia, with the senior diplomat expected to begin her assignment in Mogadishu in August 2026. Her arrival comes as Somalia and the United States deepen cooperation on security, counterterrorism, stabilization, institutional development...
LasAnod (WDN) — A senior United Nations official is expected to visit Las Anod, the capital of Somalia’s North Eastern State, in a move that could draw renewed international attention to a region that has long complained of being marginalized from major humanitarian, development and public investment programs. George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the...
Garowe (WDN) — Puntland has sharply criticized former members of its security forces who reportedly joined Somalia’s Federal Government before moving into neighboring Galmudug, demanding that they be returned to Puntland and accusing Mogadishu of using security personnel to fuel tensions in the region. Puntland Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamud Ayid Dirir, speaking at...
BBC (London) – At least 20 people have been killed after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia early on Saturday, the nation’s disaster mitigation agency has said. BPBD said that others had been injured to varying degrees, cautioning that the figures were preliminary while search and rescue operations were ongoing. Buildings in the region have been...
Galkayo (WDN) — In a powerful display of maturity and civic responsibility, young people from the Galmudug side of Galkayo have sent a heartfelt message to their counterparts in Puntland, urging them to reject political division and protect the peace and brotherhood that bind the city together. The message, issued amid heightened political tensions in...