Somalia

A $150,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Fahad Mohamed Nur, a Minnesota suspect in the Feeding Our Future Federal Child Nutrition Program fraud scheme. Nur is accused of receiving $5 million through fictitious invoices for unsupplied food, part of a $300 million fraud during the pandemic. The FBI says he may reside in Somalia and is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Businesses report blocked or delayed payments from Saudi Arabia to UAE accounts, raising concerns about deteriorating relations between the Gulf neighbors. Saudi Arabia's central bank denied imposing direct restrictions, while tensions are linked to disputes over Israel, Yemen, and Somalia. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeds $20 billion annually.

The European Union's asylum agency has warned that Somalia's security situation has significantly worsened, citing deepening political divisions and growing instability that have allowed the Al-Shabaab militant group to expand its influence.

Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali met with European Union Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro for a farewell meeting in Mogadishu as she concludes her posting in Somalia. The meeting took place on July 5.

Puntland region in Somalia asserts its constitutional authority to manage natural resources independently, rejecting the federal government's role in approving such activities. The region emphasizes that the federal government cannot intervene without its consent.

The African Union called an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia after the U.S. announced it would end critical funding over the lack of progress against Islamist insurgents.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to cancel Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants from seven countries, potentially leading to their deportation. The administration now has authority to review TPS designations for other countries.

The Somali Future Council congratulated Somalis on the 66th anniversary of the country's independence and unification. The group warned that Somalia continues to face deepening political and security challenges.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud participated in a national flag-raising ceremony in Mogadishu to commemorate Somalia's 66th anniversary of independence and the unification of its southern and northern regions, establishing the Somali Republic.

Somalia's military, backed by Turkish forces, conducted airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets against al-Shabab positions in the Godey area of Lower Shabelle. The Ministry of Defence reported the strikes killed 35 al-Shabab fighters.

A coalition of NGOs has requested the ICC investigate senior UAE and regional officials for allegedly aiding atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region. The submission accuses foreign actors of supplying arms, mercenaries, and logistical support to conflict parties, including the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces.

The mastermind behind a $250 million Minnesota Covid fraud scheme has been taken into custody after Somalia complied with US pressure.

The mastermind behind a $250 million Minnesota Covid fraud scheme has been taken into custody. Somalia complied with US pressure to facilitate the arrest.

One of the orchestrators of the Feeding Our Future scam, which stole a quarter of a billion dollars in pandemic food assistance money in Minnesota, has been captured in Somalia.

Somali intelligence assisted US authorities in arresting an alleged ringleader of a Minnesota fraud case. US prosecutors identified a key suspect in the fraud case through collaboration with Somali intelligence.

Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, a Minnesota man, was captured in Somalia after allegedly orchestrating a $250 million fraud scheme targeting a federal child nutrition program. He faces 31 counts, including wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering, for his role in a 'pay-to-play' scheme involving fraudulent meal sites and shell companies.

Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was arrested in Somalia in connection with the $250M Minnesota COVID-19 fraud scheme, Feeding Our Future. He was one of the original suspects indicted in the case.

A Minnesota man accused in a $250 million fraud scheme has been taken into custody in Somalia. Authorities confirmed his arrest in relation to the fraud case.

Abdikerm Eidleh, a central figure in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, was taken into custody in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. He is accused of controlling shell companies, recruiting fraudulent food sites, and funneling over $5 million in proceeds. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI confirmed his arrest, highlighting international collaboration in the case.

Abdikerm Eidleh, accused of involvement in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, was arrested in Somalia after more than four years. Federal officials confirmed the arrest.

Warm weather and calm seas have increased migrant crossings from northern France to the UK. Migrants from Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Uganda attempted but failed to board a small boat near Gravelines. On June 18, 2026, 392 migrants reached the UK in small boats, with 10,244 recorded so far this year.

The European Union has temporarily tightened visa rules for Somali citizens due to insufficient cooperation from Somalia in the readmission of its nationals staying illegally in EU member states.

EU member countries agreed to impose visa restrictions on Somali citizens over readmission failures, following similar measures on Gambia and Ethiopia. The EU is overhauling migration policy, including establishing return hubs and deportation legislation.

Eastern Libya has banned entry for nationals from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia as part of a migration crackdown. The measure aims to reorganize and regulate foreign nationals entering the region.

Libya’s eastern government has banned entry for citizens of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia to curb migrant influx. The measure targets people from these four African nations.

Climate-induced crop failures, livestock deaths, and water shortages in Somalia are exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition. These challenges make it difficult for families to maintain stable incomes and consistent food supplies.

Somalia's acting president and Speaker of Parliament, Sadio Yasin, urged an immediate end to renewed clan fighting in the Hiiraan region. The call comes amid escalating clashes between clans in the area.

Heavy rains have flooded parts of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, disrupting transport and slowing movement across the city. Residents and officials reported the flooding after several hours of rain.

Al-Shabaab operates structured checkpoints in south-central Somalia with fixed rates, receipts, and an appeal process, contrasting with federal government roadblocks where soldiers demand bribes. A Mogadishu-based NGO director described this system to The New Humanitarian.

Seven-year-old Abdiqadir Salah was injured by shrapnel during a US airstrike in Somalia that killed 12 people. He requires a $750 operation to avoid losing the ability to walk, but his family cannot afford it, and the US denies civilian casualties, offering no compensation.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the opening of a Somaliland embassy in occupied Jerusalem, calling the move illegal under international law. The OIC stated the action violates the UN Charter and relevant resolutions, reaffirming solidarity with Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Somalia's Danab special forces killed 14 Al-Shabaab fighters during an operation in the Lower Shabelle region, as confirmed by the government. The operation occurred in the southern part of the country.

Somaliland's ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi Mohamoud, condemned Somalia's threats and warned against using foreign actors against Somaliland, stating such actions could destabilize the region and provoke a response.

Niger’s military junta introduced a new penal code criminalizing homosexuality with 5-10 years in prison. The law, effective since Thursday, penalizes LGBTQIA+ acts and related activities, joining other African nations with similar laws.

Negotiations to free eight Egyptian sailors held by Somali pirates collapsed after the kidnappers withdrew from a preliminary agreement and demanded additional ransom payments. Officials confirmed the breakdown in talks over the ransom dispute.

Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned to Mogadishu to a warm reception after being denied entry to the United States, where he was scheduled to officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup.

EU plans to establish migrant 'return hubs' outside the bloc are advancing as national capitals approve new rules. Countries like Italy, Germany, and Nordic nations are exploring such hubs, with legal agreements requiring compliance with human rights standards. Civil society groups warn of potential abuses.

A top African referee was denied entry to the US and subsequently sent back to Somalia despite possessing the correct visa. The incident highlights a discrepancy between visa status and actual border entry decisions.

Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first official from his country to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, was denied entry into the United States ahead of the tournament.

Somalia's Minister of Defence Ahmed Moallim Fiqi met with China's ambassador to Somalia, Wang Yu, in Mogadishu to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in defence, military training, and support for Somalia's national security institutions. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in these areas.