Mogadishu, Somalia—At a Friday sermon inside the Presidential Mosque, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed recent U.S. security threat alert that warned of an imminent terrorist threat in the capital, urging citizens to remain calm and insisting the country remains stable.
“There is no threat, no looming danger, and no territory lost to al-Shabab,” Mohamud declared before a packed congregation.
“Somalia is more secure than ever—people are breaking their fast on the streets. Foreign actors hostile to our progress are spreading messages that serve Al-Shabab’s agenda.”
His comments come as Somalia grapples with a surge in militant activity.
Over the past week, Al-Shabab has launched an aggressive offensive in the Middle Shabelle region, seizing several villages in its most extensive territorial push in years.
Meanwhile, fears of an attack in Mogadishu have led to heightened security measures, raising questions about the government’s ability to contain the insurgency.
A Widening Gap Between Mogadishu and the West
The U.S. Embassy in Somalia issued a security advisory on Tuesday, warning its citizens of potential terrorist attacks at key locations, including Aden Adde International Airport.
Within hours, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines—two of the few major international carriers flying to Mogadishu—announced a temporary suspension of flights, citing security concerns.
While no direct connection between the U.S. warning and the flight suspensions has been confirmed, Somali officials have pushed back against the advisory, claiming it is part of a pattern of exaggerated alarms issued from Halane, the fortified diplomatic compound near the airport.
“We have lived through bombings and assassinations, yet flights continued to land. What sudden crisis has now made Mogadishu unsafe for air travel?” Mohamud asked, taking a veiled swipe at Western embassies based inside Halane.
The Somali government has long sought to assert itself as an independent actor, often clashing with foreign diplomats over security assessments.
Officials in Mogadishu argue that such warnings, while sometimes well-intended, have economic consequences, damaging investor confidence and disrupting vital air travel links.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Fardowsa Osman Egal, echoed the president’s stance, dismissing claims that flight suspensions were linked to a concrete security threat.
“There is no intelligence pointing to an immediate risk,” Egal told Voice of America’s Somali service.
“We asked Turkish Airlines about their decision, and they admitted their move was based on external advisories, not actual threats on the ground.”
Despite these assurances, Mogadishu remains on high alert.
Military reinforcements have been sent to key areas in Middle Shabelle to repel Al-Shabab advances, while police and intelligence units in the capital have increased patrols.
“The city is not in crisis, but we are aware that militants always look for opportunities,” a senior Somali intelligence officer, who was not authorized to speak publicly, told Somali Standard.
“There are credible concerns, but they should not be exaggerated.”
While the Somali government has made gains against Al-Shabab in recent years—with support from African Union forces and U.S. airstrikes—the group remains a potent force. It has adapted, using targeted assassinations, roadside bombings, and coordinated raids to maintain pressure on the government.
Analysts say the latest offensive in Middle Shabelle underscores Al-Shabaab’s ability to regroup despite military setbacks.
“This is one of the most significant territorial pushes by Al-Shabab in years,” said a regional security analyst.
“It’s a reminder that while the group has been weakened, it remains deeply embedded in rural Somalia.”
For now, the Somali government appears eager to project confidence, even as security concerns linger.
With Ramadan underway and Mogadishu’s streets bustling, many residents are left weighing the competing narratives—between the government’s reassurances and the persistent fear of an unpredictable insurgency.
