Deadly suicide bombing hits Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mogadishu as al-Shabab escalates attacks amid intensified military crackdown.

A suicide bombing at Mogadishu’s Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy, Somalia’s premier military training facility, has left an undetermined number of casualties and underscored the persistent threat posed by al-Shabab militants. The explosion occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. Wednesday when the bomber detonated explosives at the academy’s main gate in Mogadishu’s Hodan district.

Within minutes, security forces had cordoned off the area and initiated an investigation, vowing to release confirmed casualty figures once the inquiry concludes. Initial reports indicate several fatalities and injuries, though exact numbers remain unclear.

Somalia’s Defence Ministry swiftly condemned the attack, attributing responsibility to al-Shabab, an extremist group linked to al-Qaida that has consistently targeted government institutions and military installations in a prolonged insurgency aimed at imposing strict Islamic rule. The ministry expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of victims and reiterated its commitment to intensifying counter-terrorism operations.

This latest incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of high-value targets in the Somali capital, despite government assurances and intensified military campaigns aimed at dismantling extremist networks. The Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy has been repeatedly targeted due to its symbolic and strategic significance, training the nation’s future military leaders.

The attack comes amid a concerted national offensive against al-Shabab, backed by international allies and African Union peacekeepers, which has reclaimed substantial territory from the militant group. However, al-Shabab remains capable of executing high-profile attacks within Mogadishu and other urban centers, raising serious questions about the efficacy of current security measures.

As Somalia’s security forces and government confront the daunting task of eradicating the extremist threat, the latest bombing underscores the critical need for strengthened security protocols, increased intelligence sharing, and coordinated international support to finally break al-Shabab’s deadly grip on the region.

Somalia Under Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: A Family-Run “Company” Colluding with Al-Shabab and Controlled by Foreign Halane Mafia.

President Mohamud’s administration accused of corruption, terrorist collaboration, and dangerous attempts to destabilize peaceful Somaliland.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faces damning accusations of transforming governance into personal enterprise, collaborating with terrorists, and remaining under control of foreign interests, pushing Somalia into deeper instability and risking conflict with Somaliland.

Under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia faces a devastating era marked by corruption, foreign domination, and troubling allegations of complicity with Al-Shabab terrorists. Far from national leadership, his administration has reportedly descended into a family-operated enterprise, prioritizing personal enrichment and power consolidation over national stability.

Central to this crisis is the fortified compound of Halane, known as Somalia’s “forbidden fortress,” which operates like a colonial enclave, dominated by foreign interests and maintained by a tight-knit group—the “Halane Mafia.” For two decades, this foreign-backed clique has systematically undermined true Somali sovereignty, going so far as openly excluding Somalis from critical roles within their own country.

The UNSOS job ad scandal, explicitly barring Somalis from employment opportunities on their soil, is just one glaring example of the ongoing humiliation and subjugation. Instead of fostering genuine capacity-building, these international actors perpetuate dependency, keeping Somalia weak, fractured, and beholden to foreign aid and consultants.

Amidst this turmoil, President Mohamud’s reported plans for aggression against the peaceful of Somaliland demonstrate alarming misdirection and recklessness. Somaliland’s stable governance and security stand in stark contrast to the chaos within Somalia’s borders—a chaos amplified by Mohamud’s failures and compromised leadership. Such aggression could unleash catastrophic instability, diverting attention from his administration’s dysfunction and dangerous collaboration with extremist elements.

Somalia stands at a perilous crossroads, trapped by internal corruption and external manipulation, with a leadership seemingly intent on deepening conflict rather than pursuing peace and self-determination. For the Somali people, their nation risks sliding deeper into perpetual instability and foreign subjugation.

A Critique of the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Administration and the Halane Enigma

Somalia Pushes SSC-Khaatumo Statehood, Igniting Tensions with Somaliland and Its Allies

The current state of Somalia under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is not merely a period of governance; it is, by many accounts, a nadir in the nation’s tumultuous history. Far from leading a sovereign state, President Mohamud presides over what has, tragically, devolved into a personal enterprise, a “company” seemingly owned by him and his family, with credible independent reports even linking his administration to collaboration with the very terrorists, Al-Shabab, that plague the nation.

This is an administration widely perceived as the worst in the world, a stark betrayal of the Somali people’s aspirations for peace, security, and self-determination.

The core of this systemic failure lies within the fortified walls of Halane, the so-called “forbidden fortress of Somalia’s foreign minders.” This enclave, rather than fostering genuine state-building, has morphed into a self-perpetuating, colonial-like outpost, sustained by the apathy of generations of Somalis who have known no government truly worthy of their name.

A small, entrenched group, often referred to as the “Halane Mafia,” has, for two decades, completely hijacked the Somali administration. This clique, inherently against the very notion of Somalia becoming a secure, functioning, and independent country, actively resists the transfer of real power to Somali hands. Their grip is so absolute that it extends to denying Somalis even opportunities within their own land, as shockingly exemplified by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) job advertisement for a Programme Support Officer in Mogadishu, explicitly stating: “Candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment”—a blatant prohibition on Somali nationals from a role meant to support their own nation.

This is not capacity building; this is colonial perpetuation, where “failed Western actors” continue to preach development while ensuring continued dependence on foreign consultants and unreliable aid, now abandoning Somalis to their fate.

The consequences of this entrenched dysfunction are dire and far-reaching. Innocent Somalis are routinely mistreated in their own country, and hope, once a flicker, is rapidly fading. This ministerial failure is palpable, and the frustration simmers beneath the surface of a populace that increasingly sees no difference between the foreign-controlled Halane and the supposedly sovereign Villa Somalia. The clarion call, “Out with Halane,” grows louder by the day, reflecting a deep-seated yearning for genuine Somali leadership.

In this context of profound domestic instability and international manipulation, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s alleged intent to invade and wage war on Somaliland, purportedly due to dissatisfaction with its security situation, is not just a dangerous escalation but a grotesque irony.

To seek conflict with a stable, self-governing entity like Somaliland, while his own administration is embroiled in accusations of corruption, collaboration with terrorists, and being controlled by a foreign-backed cabal, speaks volumes about the priorities and capabilities of his leadership.

The security situation in Somaliland, in stark contrast to the chaos he presides over, is a testament to its own resilience and self-governance. This proposed aggression is a desperate diversion, a dangerous gamble by a leader whose legitimacy and effectiveness are crumbling under the weight of his own administration’s failures.

The long-term implications of this sustained misgovernance and external interference are catastrophic for Somalia’s future, threatening to condemn generations to perpetual instability and foreign subjugation.

A military helicopter operated by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) crashed and caught fire early Tuesday at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, killing at least three people, officials confirmed.

The helicopter, operated by the Ugandan Air Force under the AUSSOM mission, was attempting to land after taking off from Baledogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region. It carried eight personnel on board.

Three survivors were taken to the AUSSOM hospital. Their condition remains undisclosed.

Witnesses reported a loud explosion and rising smoke after the aircraft plummeted. “We saw it spinning before it crashed,” aviation officer Omar Farah told reporters. Another witness described “a huge explosion and smoke everywhere.”

The cause of the crash is still unknown, and neither AUSSOM nor the Somali government has released an official statement on what led to the incident.

Airport operations were briefly delayed, but civil aviation authorities say the runway is now fully operational, and normal flight schedules have resumed.

This is the second AUSSOM helicopter incident in weeks. A prior crash occurred in the Hawadley district during an evacuation mission after flooding displaced Burundian peacekeepers.

The crash comes as Somali forces—backed by AU troops—continue operations against al-Shabaab. This week, the army reported the killing of a senior al-Shabaab commander in Middle Shabelle.

AUSSOM, formerly ATMIS, maintains over 11,000 peacekeeping personnel from countries including Uganda and Kenya to support Somali forces against militant threats.

Turkey deploys 500 troops and advanced Akinci drones to Somalia, aiming to reverse al-Shabaab’s territorial gains and strengthen Somalia’s security capabilities. 

Turkey has made a dramatic escalation in its military footprint in Somalia, deploying 500 elite counterterrorism troops and drone operators to support Somali forces battling al-Shabaab insurgents, sources confirm.

The latest deployment — which includes 300 commandos and 200 drone technicians and specialists — nearly triples Turkey’s existing contingent in Somalia and signals Ankara’s growing strategic stake in the Horn of Africa’s security and resource landscape.

At the heart of this deployment is the Turkish-made Akinci drone, a battlefield beast with night vision, 24-hour endurance, and heavy payload capacity, far outstripping the smaller Bayraktar TB2s that Somali forces have used in past engagements. According to regional military analysts, Akinci drones could change the trajectory of the war, offering precise nighttime strikes and superior surveillance capabilities against a nimble and entrenched al-Shabaab network.

Turkish officials emphasize that the troops are tasked with protecting Turkish infrastructure and training Somali forces, but rules of engagement permit strikes against al-Shabaab when necessary. The escalation aligns with a 2024 security agreement that allows Turkey to station up to 2,500 troops in Somalia by 2026, including support for maritime security and offshore resource development.

This move comes as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) flounders, short by 8,000 troops and desperate for donor funding. The UN-backed mission, expected to be a stabilizing force, now risks becoming symbolic unless bolstered by external partners like Turkey.

Since its establishment in 2017, Camp Turksom in Mogadishu has trained over 16,000 Somali soldiers, including the Gorgor Commandos and Haramcad paramilitary units, giving Turkey unmatched influence over Somalia’s emerging national security architecture.

With al-Shabaab regaining ground in central Somalia, including the recent contested capture of Adan Yabaal, Turkey’s expanded presence aims to reverse militant gains and inject renewed momentum into Somalia’s long-stalled counterterror campaign.

“This isn’t just about training anymore. This is tactical,” said one insider. “Turkey is now deeply embedded in Somalia’s security calculus—on land, in the air, and soon, at sea.”

As the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden heat up geopolitically, Turkey’s growing role could redraw influence maps in East Africa—ushering in an era where Ankara, not just Washington or Beijing, dictates military outcomes in Africa’s most contested war zone.

20 killed in suicide bombing at Mogadishu military base as al-Shabab targets Somali army recruitment—again

A suicide bombing at Damaanyo base in Mogadishu kills 20 and wounds 15, exposing the cracks in Somalia’s security rebuild and the federal government’s vulnerable military apparatus.

Sunday’s suicide bombing at Mogadishu’s Damaanyo base was not just another attack—it was a chilling reminder that al-Shabab is not merely surviving Somalia’s counterterror campaign. It is adapting, infiltrating, and striking where it hurts the most: recruitment, trust, and morale.

The explosion, which killed 20—including 15 army recruits—has left the Somali public once again questioning whether the federal government is truly in control of its own capital. The bomber didn’t strike a remote outpost or vulnerable village. He detonated himself at a gate swarming with hopeful young men ready to serve their country.

Al-Shabab’s message is clear: they can still kill Somalia’s future before it even dons a uniform.

The scene was all too familiar. Young recruits. A crowded base entrance. A militant mingling unnoticed until it’s too late. A mirror of the 2023 Jale Siyad massacre. And like that previous horror, this one unfolded in broad daylight—right across from the last site, as if to mock the government’s inability to adapt. Where is the promised perimeter security? Where is the operational intelligence?

This wasn’t a failure of bravery. It was a failure of leadership.

For President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, the timing is disastrous. Just 24 hours prior, Col. Abdirahmaan Hujaale, a respected field commander, was gunned down in Hiiraan. The implications are grim. Al-Shabab is assassinating officers and bombing soldiers-in-waiting. This is not just an insurgency. This is psychological warfare, and it’s working.

While the government urges calm and official updates, Somali families are burying their sons. Once again, the cycle of blood and blame spins on. Once again, Somalia’s youth pay the price for a government that still cannot secure its own barracks.

Until Mogadishu stops treating security breaches as isolated events and starts admitting systemic infiltration and structural rot, al-Shabab will continue turning soldier queues into killing fields.

This isn’t just a security lapse. It’s a national shame. The kind that leaves behind not just body parts—but broken trust.

$10 million IMF release sparks new debate: Is Somalia on a path to recovery—or headed deeper into dependency?

The IMF has signed the dotted line—again. But is this $10 million injection a spark for growth or a bandage on a failing state?

On Friday, the International Monetary Fund announced a staff-level agreement with the Somali government to unlock $10 million under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). While the disbursement still awaits IMF Executive Board approval, it has already triggered cautious optimism in Mogadishu and diplomatic circles. Yet the real question is whether this cash represents a step toward self-reliance—or just another line of credit in an endless spiral of international rescue.

According to the IMF, Somalia’s economy is projected to grow by 4% in 2024, buoyed by agricultural recovery and easing inflation. But the optimism stops there. By 2025, the Fund expects growth to slow to 3%, with foreign aid cuts, unpredictable rainfall, and political instability clouding the outlook.

Translation? This is not a recovery—it’s a lifeline. And it’s fraying.

Despite some progress in fiscal reform, the IMF’s own warning is stark: “a more severe and sustained reduction in foreign aid would have long-term economic consequences, exacerbate food insecurity and poverty, and jeopardize Somalia’s progress.” In other words, Somalia remains a fragile economy on donor life support, vulnerable to both global shocks and internal dysfunction.

Critically, Somalia’s economy remains heavily donor-dependent and poorly diversified. Private consumption remains sluggish, institutional capacity is weak, and the risk of regression—both economic and political—is high.

Where is the accountability? Where are the reforms that truly matter?

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration has promised institutional strengthening and public financial management—but those words ring hollow when juxtaposed with chronic insecurity, elite corruption, and rising political division. How long can foreign donors keep writing checks while the central government builds parties instead of policies?

For investors, aid agencies, and regional players, the message is clear: Somalia’s economy doesn’t just need money—it needs transformation. Until Mogadishu starts treating financial discipline and inclusive governance as more than donor slogans, no dollar—whether ten million or ten billion—will fix what’s broken.

This IMF deal is a headline, not a solution. And the clock is ticking.

MPs accuse Somali president of dismantling federalism, abusing power, and launching a one-man party state—sparking the largest political revolt since 2004.

Somalia’s political foundation is crumbling—and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is standing on a fault line of his own making. In an extraordinary act of parliamentary revolt, 103 federal lawmakers have issued a direct call for the president’s immediate resignation, accusing him of constitutional sabotage, authoritarian drift, and eroding every pillar of Somalia’s fragile federal system.

This isn’t political noise—it’s an earthquake. Coming just hours after a blistering statement by 16 of Somalia’s most powerful political heavyweights—including ex-presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Farmaajo—the declaration marks the most sweeping elite rejection of a sitting Somali head of state since the early transitional era.

At the heart of the crisis is Hassan Sheikh’s personal political project: the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP). Critics say it’s more than just a party—it’s the state reborn under his personal brand. Public funds, army generals, civil servants, and state media have allegedly been mobilized to construct a centralized machine of control under the banner of “reform.”

But the backlash is spreading fast. MPs accuse the president of dismantling the National Consultative Council (NCC)—Somalia’s only mechanism for federal dialogue—and replacing it with a party command structure that excludes Puntland and Jubbaland. They warn of constitutional violations, secret deals without parliamentary approval, misuse of national resources, and growing authoritarianism hidden beneath development slogans.

While al-Shabaab remains a threat and inflation continues to punish ordinary Somalis, Villa Somalia is accused of playing party politics with state institutions. “This is no longer a presidency—it’s a personal project,” one MP told WARYATV anonymously. “He governs like he’s running a campaign, not a country.”

Still, no formal response has come from the president. But silence will only fuel the perception that Hassan Sheikh is too insulated, too arrogant, and too dependent on political engineering to survive democratic accountability.

If no reversal occurs, Somalia is headed toward one of two outcomes: massive institutional breakdown—or a stormy, elite-driven confrontation that could bring this presidency to its knees.

Hassan Sheikh now governs in name, not consensus. And in Somalia, that’s a dangerous place to be.