Sunday 8,March 2025 {HMC} Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro condemned the fighting that broke out on Friday between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo forces in the Buqdharkayn district.

Speaking at an event marking International Women’s Day on March 8, President Irro expressed regret over the violence and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to defending Somaliland while pursuing peace.

“We regret the aggressive attack on a peaceful area. As we promised, we will defend the nation,” said President Irro, emphasizing that his government would defend Somaliland with one hand while working towards peace with the other.

The fighting in Buqdharkayn, located in the Sool region, saw renewed clashes between the two sides, who have a history of conflict in the area. Both the Somaliland government and the SSC-Khatumo administration blamed each other for starting the violence.

Meanwhile, peace talks are ongoing in Gaashamo, in the Somali Regional State, where religious leaders from both regions are working to end the clan-based fighting.

Despite efforts toward reconciliation, the recent clashes resulted in casualties, with several people from both Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo reported wounded and killed. Both sides claimed victory in the fighting, further complicating efforts for peace.

Sunday 8,March 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reiterated that the country’s ongoing indirect elections have severely undermined Somalia’s international credibility.

Speaking to the public on Saturday, President Hassan Sheikh emphasized the need to transition to one-person, one-vote elections to give the Somali people a genuine opportunity to choose their leadership.

President Hassan noted that the continued use of indirect elections was unsustainable, stating that Somalia cannot revert to this system again. He stressed that the international community is unwilling to engage with a government which results from an unpredictable election process.

“We have been in indirect elections for 25 years. We cannot continue; it is impossible, and we are not accepted. The world does not accept us to be a government and treat us like this. They are telling us we do not know what they are working on,” said President Hassan Sheikh.

The president further confirmed the government’s commitment to implementing one-person, one-vote elections, which he argued would improve the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

The Somali Electoral Commission has set election dates for June 2025 for local, regional, and municipal polls, with parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for September 2025.

However, some regional states, including Jubbaland and Puntland, and opposition groups, have rejected this election model. They have accused the president and his government of unilaterally controlling the election process.

Axad 09, Mar 2025 {HMC} A senior Al-Shabaab leader, Yusuf Dhegnaas, was killed in a targeted airstrike in the El Ba’ad area of the Middle Shabelle region on March 5, Somali officials confirmed. The operation, carried out by Somali forces with international support, is part of ongoing efforts to weaken the militant group.

The airstrike hit a meeting of Al-Shabaab commanders, including Dhegnaas, in the late afternoon. Abukar Mohamed, a spokesperson for the Somali Ministry of Defense, confirmed that the strike successfully eliminated the leader and several other militants. “We are pleased to announce that a key Al-Shabaab figure, Yusuf Dhegnaas, was killed in this operation, along with other senior members,” Mohamed said. “In addition, a follow-up attack in the Galcad area of the Galgaduud region targeted their guards and associates.”

The airstrike is part of a series of military actions aimed at Al-Shabaab’s operations in the Middle Shabelle region. The Somali government, supported by international partners, has been intensifying efforts to counter the group’s presence in several regions.

AFRICOM has not yet released a statement confirming the airstrike.

In recent weeks, the Somali forces have launched several airstrikes targeting Al-Shabaab militants. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that, as of Sunday, it has conducted close to a dozen airstrikes in Somalia this year. These operations, aimed at both Al-Shabaab and ISIS, have targeted militant leaders and their networks, providing crucial support to Somali government efforts to combat insurgency.

Despite these airstrikes, Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat to Somalia’s stability. In February, the group launched an offensive that temporarily captured several key towns, including Bal’ad, located just 30 kilometres from Mogadishu. While Somali forces regained control of these areas, the offensive underscored the ongoing challenges facing the Somali government in securing its territory.

Financial and logistical challenges continue to hinder Somalia’s security forces. Recently, U.S. funding for the elite Danab special forces was cut, further straining Somalia’s military resources. Minister of Finance Bihi Imaan Egeh confirmed the reduction in military funding and urged Somali citizens to pay their taxes to help offset funding shortfalls.

The Somali government heavily relies on external support, including airstrikes from AFRICOM, to bolster its fight against Al-Shabaab.