This move comes as Somalia faces an intensified offensive by the Al-Shabaab militant group, which is affiliated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network.

According to intelligence sources, Somalia’s Director of Intelligence, Mahad Mohamed Salad—who is alleged to have links to the Muslim Brotherhood—recently undertook a secret trip to Algeria and Azerbaijan. During the visit, he reportedly carried a request from the Somali government seeking assistance in obtaining kamikaze drones.

Sources further claim that the request involved as many as 25,000 kamikaze drones.

Al-Shabaab, which has waged a nearly two-decade-long insurgency against the Somali government and African Union forces, has been advancing rapidly and expanding its presence in towns surrounding the capital, Mogadishu.

There are increasing fears that the group could threaten Mogadishu itself.

At the same time, recent talks between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration and the militant group—reportedly mediated by Qatar—have collapsed. The dialogue is said to have involved elders and business figures with close ties to Al-Shabaab.

Concerns Over Kamikaze Drones

Al-Shabaab is also actively seeking suicide-capable drones.

The group has reportedly engaged in discussions with Yemen’s Houthi movement, which receives backing from Iran, in an effort to acquire such weapons.

For years, Al-Shabaab has infiltrated Somali state institutions amid widespread corruption, frequently gaining access to military equipment and sensitive intelligence. Analysts warn this could make it easier for the group to obtain kamikaze drones should they be introduced into Somalia.

The militants also regularly raid military bases, seizing weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment. As a result, there are growing concerns that advanced suicide drones brought into Mogadishu could eventually fall into extremist hands.

Iran, a key producer of kamikaze drones, remains under heavy international sanctions, with Western governments accusing Tehran of supporting global terrorism. Algeria, an Arab League member, is believed to maintain relatively strong relations with Iran.

Sources say Somalia is seeking assistance not only to finance the purchase of the drones but also to facilitate their transportation.

Kamikaze drones are unmanned aerial vehicles designed to detonate upon impact, often used in modern asymmetric warfare.

Russia has previously deployed Iranian-made kamikaze drones, including the Shahed-136 and Shahed-131, in its war against Ukraine. Iran is widely believed to have supplied these systems to Moscow for use in the conflict.

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has not officially commented on the reported request for Iranian-made kamikaze drones.

Meanwhile, Mogadishu has been gradually re-engaging with Tehran. In July 2024, the Somali government dispatched a delegation led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Iraq, where they are believed to have held meetings with figures including Iranian intelligence officials linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement.

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The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa on Sunday, where the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro received the Deputy Ambassador of France to Kenya, Romain Joly, and a large French delegation on an official visit to Somaliland.

President Irro welcomed the French-funded initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to safeguarding Somaliland’s cultural and archaeological heritage.

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He expressed full support for the project, which aims to protect, preserve, and promote key historical sites, including the internationally renowned Laas Geel rock art complex.

Somaliland has a vast number of cultural sites, some of which are used for tourism. Years of conflict in the 1990s, when Somaliland broke away from Somalia, and the instability that followed have put many of these sites at risk, making international support crucial for their protection and promotion.

“We thank the French government for its continued engagement and stated that Somaliland is ready to deepen bilateral cooperation with France across several sectors, including diplomacy, trade, investment, tourism, culture, and knowledge exchange,” said president Irro.

President Irro also highlighted Somaliland’s peaceful environment, political stability, and democratic governance, noting that these factors create a strong foundation for sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.

The French delegation included Dr. Xavier Gutherz, an international expert widely recognized for his work in raising global awareness of the historical importance of Laas Geel. In recognition of his and his team’s efforts in preserving Somaliland’s archaeological heritage, President Cirro presented Dr. Gutherz with a Certificate of Honor.

For his part, Deputy Ambassador Romain Joly expressed France’s interest in strengthening ties with Somaliland and reiterated France’s “commitment to supporting cultural heritage preservation”.

He also commended Somaliland’s role in promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

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