The Somali Digest

The Somali Digest

5/18/2025, 5:05:43 PM

A deadly blast at a Mogadishu army recruitment center killed more than 20 would-be soldiers—underscoring the failure of Somalia’s security transition and the growing reach of Al-Shabab, even inside fortified zones. https://thesomalidigest.com/damanyo-attack-reveals-security-gaps-shaken-army-morale/

The Somali Digest

5/9/2025, 8:23:52 PM

The U.S. publicly warns Somalia's federal government against pushing reforms without Puntland and Jubaland. As political rifts deepen, Al-Shabab exploits the vacuum—seizing bases and threatening Mogadishu’s outskirts. https://thesomalidigest.com/mogadishu-warned-over-unilateral-reforms-as-al-shabab-gains-ground/

The Somali Digest

5/14/2025, 9:00:57 AM

The NCC—once a symbol of federal dialogue—has become the president’s new party. With key ministers and state leaders onboard, observers fear Somalia’s political balance is tipping toward one-man rule under democratic pretenses. https://thesomalidigest.com/ncc-rebranded-as-ruling-party-as-president-launches-bid-for-reelection/

The Somali Digest

3/1/2025, 9:21:10 PM

The capture of Buqa Caleed is a significant milestone in the ongoing Puntland campaign against ISIS, known as the Hilac Operation, which aims to eliminate the extremist group’s presence and influence in the region https://thesomalidigest.com/puntland-forces-capture-key-isis-base-in-buqa-caleed/

The Somali Digest

3/1/2025, 9:19:25 PM

According to local sources and military officials, a large force of Al-Shabab fighters attacked Biyo Adde early in the morning, overwhelming the small contingent of SNA soldiers stationed there and quickly seizing control of the town. https://thesomalidigest.com/al-shabab-seizes-biyo-adde-destroy-sna-base-and-ambush-convoy/

The Somali Digest

2/28/2025, 8:56:11 PM

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has announced the beginning of the third and final phase of the Hilac Campaign, aimed at eliminating the last remaining pockets of the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS) resistance in the region.  https://thesomalidigest.com/president-deni-declares-final-offensive-in-war-against-isis-in-puntland/

The Somali Digest

2/20/2025, 9:54:47 PM

The attacks, which took place in Al-Kawthar, Darul Nim’a, Cali Foley, and Ceel Cali Ahmed, have exposed significant gaps in Somalia’s security apparatus and raised questions about the government’s ability to protect its citizens and maintain control over key strategic locations. https://thesomalidigest.com/al-shabab-overruns-several-towns-exposes-government-failures/

The Somali Digest

2/11/2025, 8:55:03 PM

The PDF personnel at the two bases, located in strategic positions in the Togga Jecel area of the Bari region of Puntland, found themselves under intense fire and facing a determined enemy that seemed to have little regard for their own lives https://thesomalidigest.com/puntland-forces-repel-massive-isis-assault-killing-70-in-fierce-bari-battle/

The Somali Digest

2/24/2025, 7:38:10 PM

Today, Puntland forces took control of the village of Shebaab, the largest and most important ISIS stronghold to date in the Togga Jecel valley. The village, which had long been a key hub for the group’s operations and a sanctuary for its leadership, fell to Puntland forces without a fight, as the militants apparently abandoned their positions and fled deeper into the mountains. https://thesomalidigest.com/isis-flees-as-puntland-captures-heavily-fortified-villages/

The Somali Digest

2/4/2025, 6:12:38 PM

In a major breakthrough in the ongoing Hilac Campaign against the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS), Puntland forces have successfully captured the strategic village of Dharin in Togga Jecel, dealing a significant blow to the extremist group’s operational capabilities in the region. The battle for Dharin, which was heavily fortified by ISIS fighters, was intense and prolonged, with both sides employing heavy weapons and tactics to gain the upper hand https://thesomalidigest.com/puntland-forces-seize-strategic-town-in-decisive-blow-to-isis/