Monday 14,April 2025 {HMC} The Somali Federal Government has on Monday welcomed United States President Donald Trump’s support to Somalia on counter-terrorism, in order to defeat Al-Shabaab and IS militants in the country.

“We appreciate President Trump’s strong stance against the nexus of terrorism and foreign destabilisers. Somalia remains a committed partner in the global fight against extremism. Together, we will safeguard regional stability and advance shared security interests”, National Security Adviser of Somalia, Hussein Sheikh-Ali said on X, formerly Twitter.

“We will support Somali people who should not allow Houthis to embed (which they are trying to do!) to end terrorism and bring prosperity to their country”, Trump said.

President Trump’s remarks came as Somali National Army, Local Forces, Macawislay and Puntland State forces intensified the offensive operations against terrorist militants, Al-Shabaab and IS in the country in recent months with more progressive results.

Monday 14,April 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has formally invited Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye), leader of the interim SSC-Khaatumo administration, to participate in the upcoming National Consultative Council meeting scheduled for early May in Mogadishu.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre confirmed the invitation on Saturday during his landmark visit to Las Anod. Prime Minister Barre emphasized that Firdhiye’s participation would allow SSC-Khaatumo to voice its political aspirations and outline its role in Somalia’s future governance.

“President Firdhiye is invited to join the national dialogue to represent the interests of the people of SSC-Khaatumo,” said Prime Minister Barre. “This meeting is an opportunity to discuss how the region will contribute to national politics going forward.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged that SSC-Khaatumo is currently undergoing a foundational administrative development phase, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to supporting institution-building in the region. He noted that some administrative centers have already been constructed in Las Anod, with further support underway.

Barre’s visit to Las Anod—the first by a sitting Somali Prime Minister in over 50 years—underscores a renewed effort to strengthen ties with SSC-Khaatumo, which declared itself aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia after ousting Somaliland forces during a widespread uprising in early 2023.

The upcoming National Consultative Council meeting will focus on national unity, counterterrorism strategy, governance reforms, and Somalia’s federal future. SSC-Khaatumo’s participation marks a significant step toward formal political inclusion and federal recognition.

Monday 14,April 2025 {HMC} US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US would not let “terrorists” hide among the people of Somalia.

“We will support the Somali People, who should not allow the Houthis to embed (which they are trying to do!), to end terrorism, and bring prosperity to their Country,” he wrote on social media, referring to the Yemeni Houthis, who have been targeting ships connected with Israel in a show of solidarity with besieged Gaza.

Somalia is situated in the Horn of Africa, close to Yemen.

“Time for the terrorists to hide, but it won’t do them any good. Our Warfighters, the Greatest the World has ever seen, will find them, and bring them to swift Justice,” Trump added.

“I just … empowered our Warfighters, once again, just like I did against our fight with ISIS (Daesh), who were completely obliterated in three weeks under General Daniel Caine, our new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

Trump previously said that Caine was “instrumental in the complete annihilation” of ISIS.

In a 2018 speech, during his first term as president, Trump said Caine had told him ISIS could be defeated in a week.

Monday 14,April 2025 {HMC} Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Sunday officially laid the foundation stone for eight major development projects in Las Anod, the administrative capital of the SSC-Khaatumo administration.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Barre reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to extending essential services to all Somali citizens—particularly in areas historically impacted by conflict and neglect.

“These projects reflect the federal government’s commitment to inclusive development,” Barre said. “They are designed to enhance infrastructure, improve public services, and build trust between the government and the people of SSC-Khaatumo.”

The development initiatives unveiled in Las Anod include:
SSC-Khaatumo Administration Headquarters
Immigration and National ID Center (Laascaanood Branch)
SSC-Khaatumo Police Headquarters
Sayid Mohamed Technical and Vocational Training Center
Paved road connecting Samakaab and Buuhoodle
Government administrative offices for SSC-Khaatumo
National Emergency Response Center (SODMA)
SSC-Khaatumo State House Hospital
Barre described the projects as a milestone in rebuilding Las Anod and surrounding areas, pledging continued federal support for future development in the region.

“This is only the beginning. More projects are on the way to meet the needs of the people and to consolidate peace, governance, and opportunity,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s visit—the first by a sitting Somali leader to Las Anod in over 50 years—underscores Mogadishu’s growing engagement with SSC-Khaatumo. This interim administration aligned with the federal government after expelling Somaliland forces in early 2023 during a popular uprising.

SSC-Khaatumo leaders have since called for full recognition as a federal member state, and Sunday’s development ceremony further signals federal backing for the region’s integration into Somalia’s state-building process.