Authorities in North Eastern State of Somalia and the Somali Civil Aviation Authority have issued separate directives addressing airport security procedures and the responsibilities of airlines and airport service providers in Mogadishu and Las Anod, amid reports of security concerns surrounding President Abdikadir Ahmed Aw Ali Firdhiye’s recent travel.
A directive issued by the North Eastern State Ministry of Security on October 4, 2026, and signed by the ministry’s Director General, Mahmoud Hussein Jibril, known as Caateeye, instructed airlines and other parties operating at airports to cooperate with the regional administration’s security agencies.
The directive warned that airlines should not transport individuals or armed security personnel who have not received authorization from the administration.
It also emphasized that airlines must comply fully with the ministry’s orders and security requirements, warning of action against those who violate the instructions.
Separately, a letter dated October 6, 2026, from the Office of the Deputy Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority reinforced the responsibilities of the company contracted to provide screening equipment and the airport security system known as “Reflector” at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.
The directives come amid reports that armed individuals allegedly attempted to board an aircraft carrying Firdhiye from Mogadishu to Las Anod, the administrative capital of North Eastern State.
The circumstances surrounding the reported incident have not been independently confirmed.
The developments highlight renewed attention to airport security procedures, particularly the screening of passengers, the authorization of armed personnel and coordination between airlines, airport operators and security agencies.
It remains unclear whether the two directives were directly prompted by the reported incident involving Firdhiye’s flight.
However, their timing has drawn attention to the security arrangements governing air travel between Mogadishu and Las Anod, as well as the responsibilities of authorities overseeing airport operations
