Baidoa (WDN) — Somalia’s political crisis has increasingly taken on the character of an armed confrontation in and around Baidoa, with forces aligned with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen accusing the Federal Government of using national security forces and Turkish military support to consolidate control over the regional capital. The latest...
Baidoa (WDN) — Three days after reports of alleged Turkish airstrikes around Baidoa—and less than two weeks after anti-Türkiye protests erupted elsewhere in Somalia—a crowd gathered in the city on Tuesday, September 15, waving Turkish flags and praising Ankara. The timing could hardly be more striking. Hundreds of people gathered at Dr. Ayuub Stadium, carrying...
Mecca – (WDN) – The Iran-aligned militant group rejected the suggestion it had targeted Mecca, while the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attack. Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, according to a spokesperson for the Saudi-led...
Galkayo (WDN) — The Puntland Government has ordered people occupying government-owned land and buildings to vacate the properties and make alternative housing arrangements, as the administration moves to reclaim and protect public assets intended for government institutions and essential public services. Puntland Minister of Public Works, Transport and Housing Farah Awad made the announcement on...
Bosaso (WDN) — The deepening political and security rift between Somalia’s Federal Government and Puntland has reached another sensitive flashpoint after Puntland authorities reportedly stopped several officials, including two federal military officers, from leaving Bosaso Airport for Mogadishu. The two officers were reportedly among federal personnel recently brought under the control of the Federal Government...
Washington (WDN) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has highlighted what he described as a growing and constructive relationship between Somaliland and Puntland, emphasizing dialogue, security cooperation and easier movement of people and goods between the two neighboring administrations. Speaking during his visit to the United States, President Irro said that strengthening internal peace...
Washington (WDN)- U.S. authorities allege that Fahad Mohamed Noor participated in a scheme to defraud federal programs established to provide meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs were created as part of the U.S. government’s emergency response to the pandemic and distributed substantial amounts of federal money through organizations responsible for providing food...
Beledweyne, Somalia (WDN) — A visibly angry delegation led by the traditional leader of the Hawadle clan arrived in Beledweyne on Monday afternoon after returning from Mogadishu, where efforts to secure the top leadership position in Hirshabelle reportedly ended in failure. Hundreds of residents gathered at Beledweyne airport to welcome the delegation, reflecting the deep...
Mogadishu (WDN) — Security tensions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Strait of Hormuz are disrupting Somalia’s traditional shipping routes, forcing importers to seek alternatives and raising concerns over higher prices, shortages of essential goods and declining government tax revenues. Somali businesses typically import goods from Asia through Gulf hubs including the United Arab Emirates,...
Bosaso / Hargeisa(WDN) — The regional shipping crisis is no longer a story unfolding somewhere far beyond Somalia’s shores. It has reached the markets, the kitchens and the household budgets of ordinary Somalis. In Bosaso and Hargeisa, prices of essential commodities are already climbing, with consumers and traders reporting sharp increases in the cost of...