2024_in_Somalia
2024 in Somalia
Somalia-related events during 2024
Events in the year 2024 in Somalia.
Ongoing: 2024 timeline of the Somali Civil War
January
- 8 January — Said Abdullahi Deni is re-elected as the President of the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, which maintains tense relations with the federal government in Mogadishu.[1]
- 10 January – Al-Shabaab insurgents capture a United Nations helicopter carrying seven people, killing one person and abducting five others, while the seventh person is missing. The helicopter had landed in al-Shabaab controlled territory after encountering "a defect" shortly after takeoff from Beledweyne, Hiran.[2]
- 16 January – An al-Shabaab suicide bomber kills three people and wounds two others outside the Mayor of Mogadishu's office.[3]
- 25 January — Prominent figures, including Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Presidents of Southwest, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle States, participate in the inauguration of Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.[4]
February
- 6 February — 2024 Mogadishu market bombing - Ten people are killed and 30 others are injured following explosions in the Bakaara Market, Mogadishu believed to be perpetrated by Al-Shabab, who reportedly planted explosive devices underground.[5]
- 7 February — A suicide bombing in Afgooye kills three people and injures ten others.[6]
- 10 February — Four Emirati soldiers and a Bahraini military officer are killed, while ten others are injured, when a soldier opens fire at a military base in Mogadishu, before being killed in the ensuing shootout. Al-Shabaab claims responsibility.[7]
March
- 14 March:
- At least six people, including both combatants and civilians are killed following clashes near administrative stations in Beledweyne between forces loyal to Hirshabelle State and Hiraan State.[8]
- 2024 Mogadishu YSL Hotel attack and siege - An al-Shabaab member blows himself up outside a hotel in Mogadishu, killing three guards and two security forces. Six gunmen then stormed the hotel in 13-hour siege, leading to a gunfight with the army in which three soldiers and the six attackers are killed. Twenty-seven people are wounded.[9]
- 19 March — A drone strike occurs outside Afgooye, killing more than 22 people and injuring 21, including many children. The strike is reportedly conducted by a Turkish drone, specifically the TB2.[10]
- 23 March — Al-Shabaab militants storm a military base in Busley, near Mogadishu, killing seven soldiers, including the commander, and ten militants. The attack involves suicide car bombs and the seizure of military vehicles.[11]
- 31 March — Puntland withdraws its recognition of the federal government due to a constitutional crisis caused by the federal parliament's Parliament's adoption of changes to a disputed provisional constitution without consulting Puntland, under which the President and Government were originally elected.[12][13]
April
- 1 April — Puntland declares its intention to operate as an independent state until the changes to the Somali constitution adopted on 30 March are ratified through a popular referendum.[14]
- 3 April — Following Puntland's declaration of self-autonomy, Ambassador Mesganu Arga of Ethiopia welcomes a senior ministerial delegation led by Puntland’s Minister of Finance on enhancing trade, investment, energy cooperation, and joint infrastructure projects to strengthen bilateral ties.[15]
- 4 April:
- Al-Shabaab militants recapture Daaru-Nimca village in Middle Shabelle without resistance after Somali troops withdraw.[16]
- The federal government orders the expulsion of Ethiopian Ambassador Mesganu Arga and the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, citing Ethiopian interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.[17]
- The Government of Puntland has responded to the decision issued today by the Federal Government of Somalia to close the Ethiopian Consulate in Garowe, Puntland’s Information Minister, Mohamoud Aidid Dirir, stated that “the federal government has no jurisdiction in Puntland to close Ethiopia’s Consulate in Garowe.”[18]
- 5 April — Puntland and Somaliland have rejected Federal Government's order to close the Ethiopian consulate. A statement from the Puntland State House, issued on April 5, reads: “The Puntland government clarifies and reaffirms its intention to advance its interests and engage directly with neighboring countries, international partners, and all parties interested in Somali affairs. In the same vein, the decision to shut down the consulate in Garowe will not have any bearing and does not concern Puntland.”[19]
- 6 April — Al-Shabaab attacked a strategic town near the Somali capital. The militants carried out a suicide vehicle attack on a NISA base, followed by armed men in the Balcad district of Hirshabelle State. They targeted three checkpoints and a security office. The militants then retreated from the town to strategic areas, awaiting a response from the Somali National Army.[20]
- 7 April — Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, has conducted a cabinet reshuffle, introducing key appointments across various ministries. Ahmed Moallin Fiqi transitions to Minister of Foreign Affairs from his former role as Interior Minister. Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh takes on the role of Minister for Interior Affairs, Federal & Reconciliation. General Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag is appointed as Minister of Internal Security, while Abdullahi Bidhaan Warsame becomes Minister of Energy and Water. Mohamed Aden Moallin assumes the position of Minister of Post, Telecom & Technology, and Ahmed Omar Mohamed is appointed State Minister for Environment and Climate Change.[21]
- 8 April — U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has received information about threats to various locations in Mogadishu, including Aden Adde International Airport, all movements of U.S. Embassy personnel have been canceled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The level-four travel advisory for Somalia, advising against all travel, remains in effect due to concerns regarding crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy.[22]
- 9 April — Following this advisory, a series of mortar attacks occurred in different parts of Mogadishu on the same day including presidential palace, Villa Somalia, and flights by Turkish and Ethiopian Airlines were canceled due to security threats.[23]
- 10 April — Vice President of the Puntland Government, Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, celebrated Eid al-Fitr with the people of Garowe at the Mire Aware Stadium. After the Eid prayers, he extended congratulations for the completion of Ramadan.[24]
- 11 April — Somali National Army successfully repelled an attempted attack by Al-Shabaab at the Bar Sanguni base in the Lower Jubba region. This operation took place early Thursday morning and resulted in the killing of scores of militants and the capture of some alive. General Dayah Abdi, the infantry commander, reported "heavy losses" inflicted on the Al-Shabaab fighters.[25]
Further information: Public holidays in Somalia
Source:[26]
- 1 January - New Year's Day
- 7 February - Isra' and Mi'raj
- 10–11 April – Eid al-Fitr
- 1 May - Labour Day
- 16 June – Eid al-Adha
- 1 July – Independence Day
- 7 July – Islamic New Year
- 16–17 July – Ashura
- 15 September – Milad un-Nabi
- "President of Somalia's Puntland region re-elected". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- "Somali extremists kill 1 person and capture 5 others from UN helicopter after its emergency landing". AP News. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- "Suicide attack rocks Somali capital Mogadishu". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- "Puntland President Deni Inaugurated". The Somali Digest. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- "Faah-faahin ku saabsan qaraxyo maanta ka dhacay Suuqa Bakaaraha". Voice of America (in Somali). 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- "Suicide explosion in Afgoye claims 3 lives, over 10 others injured". Horn Observer. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- "Al-Shabab claims attack in Somali capital that kills 4 Emirati troops and 1 Bahraini officer". AP News. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- "Six dead as Hirshabeelle and Hiiraan state forces engage in overnight battle". Hiiraan Online. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- "Al-Shabab fighters killed as overnight siege of Mogadishu hotel ends". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- Houreld, Katharine (19 March 2024). "More than 20 killed in Somalia in alleged Turkish drone strike". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- agencies (23 March 2024). "Al-Shabab terrorists storm military base in Somalia". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- "Puntland withdraws recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- "Puntland withdraws recognition of Somali Federal Government". War Mapper updates. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- "Puntland to Operate Independently From Somalia After Law Change". Bloomberg.com. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- "Kooxda AS oo dib ula wareegtay deegaanka Daaru Nimca". Garowe Online. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- "Somalia orders Ethiopia's ambassador to leave the country as diplomatic tensions rise". Associated Press. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- "Puntland oo ka jawaabtay go'aanka lagu xirayo qunsuliyadda Itoobiya". Voice of America (in Somali). 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- Account (6 April 2024). "Puntland, Somaliland reject Mogadishu order to close Ethiopian consulate". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- "Al-Shabaab attacks strategic town near Somali capital". Garowe Online. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- "Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre announces Cabinet reshuffle". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- Somalia, U. S. Embassy (8 April 2024). "Security Alert for U.S. Citizens April 8, 2024". U.S. Embassy in Somalia. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- "Somalia on High Alert After U.S. Warns of Impending Terror Attack". Garowe Online. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- "Xukuumadda Puntland oo sheegtay in ay u taagan tahay ilaalinta midnimada Soomaaliya". Puntland Post. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- "SNA Forces Foils Attempted Al-Shabaab Attack in Lower Jubba". Goobjoog English. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- "Somalia Public Holidays 2024". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
