Wednesday April 30, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government has issued a stern warning to individuals and social media platforms disseminating false information that could undermine national security and public trust.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Information dismissed recent claims circulating online that a mortar attack by the extremist group Al-Shabaab had struck the heavily fortified Halane compound and Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, killing several foreign nationals.

“These reports have been thoroughly debunked as entirely fabricated and grossly exaggerated,” the ministry said.

While confirming that Al-Shabaab has previously carried out indiscriminate mortar attacks from concealed positions, often targeting civilian areas without clear strategic objectives, the government stressed that recent claims misrepresented the scale and impact of such incidents.

“These indiscriminate assaults have tragically resulted in civilian casualties, including children attending Qur’anic schools. However, no credible evidence supports the claims that foreign nationals were killed in the latest attack,” the ministry stated.

The government said it is closely monitoring individuals and networks—both domestic and abroad—who are suspected of deliberately spreading extremist propaganda or misinformation that could incite panic or serve the interests of terrorist groups.

Authorities pledged to take “all lawful measures necessary” to hold perpetrators accountable and protect public safety and national sovereignty.

The warning comes after local media reported that mortar shells landed near Halane—a high-security zone in Mogadishu that hosts United Nations offices, African Union personnel, and multiple foreign embassies—earlier this week.