He noted that although they attempted to contact the United Nations after the crash, no assistance or formal negotiations were initiated on their behalf.

“We believed we were serving a humanitarian cause, but the United Nations has failed to work toward securing our freedom,” Kimiti said.

He called on the UN Secretary-General to intervene urgently, stating that the UN bears responsibility for the safety of staff and contractors who are abducted while carrying out their official duties.

Kimiti also appealed to Kenyan President William Ruto to use his influence to help secure their release, and urged the people of Kenya to raise their voices in support of efforts to free them.

Neither the United Nations nor the Kenyan government has issued an official response.

Recently, the Ukrainian pilot who was flying the same helicopter made a similar appeal to the United Nations and the government of Ukraine, asking them to open negotiations with Al-Shabaab to secure their release.

The post Kidnapped UN Staff Appeal to the UN and Kenyan Government for Their Release appeared first on Kaab TV.

This change began after the military operations by the Federal Government of Somalia and Mawisleyda militias in the years 2022 and 2023 in the central regions.

Since the aftermath of those military operations, which have now ended in failure claiming the lives of many Somali soldiers, the leadership of the Al-Shabaab group has started a new plan to agree with most of the tribes that participated in the Mawisley operations.

Among the areas where Al-Shabaab carried out these agreements are the regions of Hiraan, Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud, which were at the center of the Mawisley uprising and operations in 2022 and 2023.

The expansion of Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu

The most important of the agreements reached by Al-Shabaab with the tribes is the one between the Hiran and Middle Shabelle clans in March 2025, in which Al-Shabaab allowed the elders of the communities to bail the people whom Al-Shabaab captured, and to sell weapons to the Mawisley militias on the side of the separatist government.

Al-Shabaab has also allowed the reopening of major regional roads in much of the country—including Bay, Bakool, Hiiraan, and Middle Shabelle—where the group had previously imposed strict movement restrictions on people and commercial goods entering or leaving many towns.

For example, the towns of Dinsoor, Hudur and Wajid, which have been blocked by Al-Shabaab for more than eight years, are now open for the transport of commercial goods, such as those leaving Baidoa.

In the areas of Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan under their control, Al-Shabaab has eased some of the harsh restrictions on residents, such as the ban on using mobile phones with internet access. They have also stopped shutting down telephone networks, a measure they previously put in place.

The group initiated these agreements with the clans after a series of coordinated attacks in which they seized weapons and military equipment from government forces. These operations resulted in significant losses for the government troops and the Macawisley militias supporting them.

All these measures enabled Al-Shabaab to approach Mogadishu from the four corners of the capital.

Along the coastal regions, Al-Shabaab took full control weeks ago of the area from Jilib Marko to Gendershe, which lies on the outskirts of Mogadishu along the coastline. They have also seized the outskirts of Afgooye and Bal’ad districts.

Security officials familiar with the situation told Kaab TV that the government currently maintains security over approximately a 200-mile perimeter around Mogadishu, while the territories beyond that are under Al-Shabaab’s control.

Al-Shabaab has also recently activated the court they established in Beerta Cali Mahdi, on the outskirts of Afgooye district, where hundreds of people leaving Mogadishu every week will be subjected to the group’s rulings.

Security in Mogadishu

There has been much discussion about how Al-Shabaab appears to allow relative security in Mogadishu. While the group previously carried out frequent attacks, recently there has been a noticeable decline in bombings and targeted killings in the capital.

The two attacks Al-Shabaab carried out in Mogadishu this year were: the attempted assassination of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud near Villa Somalia on March 18, 2025, and the attack on Godka Jilicow prison on October 4, 2025.

Intelligence sources and security officials in Mogadishu agree that Al-Shabaab received assistance from insiders in both attacks. For example, of the eight militants involved in the NISA prison attack at Godka Jilicow, four were former Al-Shabaab defectors who had joined the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).

It is not limited to that. Al-Shabaab has deeply infiltrated Mogadishu’s tribes, and government institutions such as security, district administrations, and important centers. The group has also reintroduced the collection of zakat from traders and markets in Mogadishu, which merchants now pay in exchange for security guarantees from Al-Shabaab.

All of these factors make it easier for Al-Shabaab to reduce or temporarily halt attacks in Mogadishu, which were mostly directed at government buildings and commercial areas. Security sources believe that now that the group has obtained the financial resources they wanted and wields influence over most government institutions, there is little reason for them to carry out large-scale attacks in the capital.

However, two important questions remain: Are Al-Shabaab preparing to gradually take over the entire government administration, and are they planning to position themselves to control the next government in Mogadishu?

The other question is how long the relative calm they are currently satisfied with in Mogadishu will last, given that it serves their interests.

The post How Al-Shabaab Allowed Security in Mogadishu appeared first on Kaab TV.

The town, which had been liberated from the al-Qaida-linked group in September 2022 during a government-backed uprising led by Hawadle clan fighters, fell back into militant hands after a coordinated raid involving four suicide car bombings, followed by a ground assault.

The Somali government has not officially commented on the attack, which marks one of the deadliest in the region this year.

According to multiple sources interviewed by Kaab TV, the attack began in the early hours of Monday after Al-Shabab fighters reportedly disabled local telecommunications networks, cutting off the town from outside communication.

The militants then launched their assault using Turkish-made armored vehicles rigged with explosives.

“Al-Shabab terrorists attacked us early Monday morning. They used four armored trucks as suicide bombs — it was impossible to stop them,” said Adan Gedi, a Ma’awisley fighter who survived the attack.

The armored vehicles used in the bombing are believed to be among the military hardware previously seized by Al-Shabab from Somali forces during past operations, including equipment originally donated by Turkey.

Following the explosions, Ma’awisley fighters and government troops reportedly fled the area, allowing Al-Shabab militants to storm the town.

Witnesses said the insurgents were later seen patrolling the streets, while many residents fled in fear.

Among those killed was Abdi Muumin Xiish, a senior Hawadle commander and the recently appointed head of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Hiiraan.

Reports of Betrayal and Lack of Support

Survivors expressed anger at what they described as a lack of government support and alleged internal sabotage.

Multiple frontline accounts shared with Kaab TV claimed that Ma’awisley fighters were instructed to stand down during critical moments in the fighting — and some even alleged that drone strikes mistakenly targeted their own ranks.

“The drones didn’t come for Al-Shabab — they hit our men,” said Abdi Mohamud, another fighter. “Al-Shabab came from Lower Shabelle, Middle Jubba, Bay, and Bakool. Nobody stopped them. No intelligence, no warning.”

Liban Abdirahman, Deputy Minister for Internal Security in Hirshabelle State, acknowledged the limitations of relying solely on local militias.

“This war can only be led by a government, not by locals. For four years, these brave men have fought alone. Many have died. Too many resources have been lost,” he said.

“The federal government and international partners must step up. Instead, they appear distracted by elections and political maneuvering.”

Security experts warn that Al-Shabab is expanding both its operational reach and propaganda efforts, particularly in Hiiraan, Lower Shabelle, and Middle Shabelle.

Local elders report that some clans are entering bey’ah — an Islamic agreement of submission — with the militants, seeking to avoid further bloodshed.

Al-Shabaab seizes Turkish-donated armored vehicle, amid a deadly battle in central Somaliahttps://t.co/NIGgnFc8MC pic.twitter.com/QxULkfONAr

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) December 26, 2023

Meanwhile, divisions within Somalia’s security forces and deepening clan rivalries have raised further concerns.

The group’s infiltration into government ranks has bred mistrust within the military and intelligence services.

While these security challenges mount, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is facing criticism for focusing federal attention and resources on Sanaag region, where tensions are rising between Puntland forces and SSC-Khatumo, a new local administration.

“The Somali government is losing towns and villages to Al-Shabab at a frenetic pace,” said Rashid Abdi, a Nairobi-based regional analyst.

“Yet Villa Somalia continues to deploy troops and airlift weapons to Sanaag to back proxy factions. Fighting Al-Shabab should be the top priority — but sadly, it never has been.”

The fall of Moqokori raises urgent questions about Somalia’s ongoing counterterrorism strategy and its ability to defend liberated territories as it faces continued attacks from one of Africa’s most lethal insurgencies.

The post Suicide Bombs, Armored Vehicles, and Betrayal: How Moqokori Fell to Al-Shabab Again appeared first on Kaab TV.

Sources close to Villa Somalia told Kaab TV that the request was made in response to increased Al-Shabaab activity in the Hirshabelle, at a time when the new African Union-led peacekeeping mission, AUSSOM (African Union Somalia Support Mission), remains underfunded and stalled.

Somalia Federal Government is wary that AUSSOM has yet to secure the necessary funding.

African nations are reportedly unable to shoulder the mission’s financial burden, and the United States has also declined to fully fund the operation.

Meanwhile, Burundian troops previously stationed near the town of Jowhar, the seat of Hirshabelle State, have reportedly withdrawn, creating a security vacuum.

President Museveni has firmly refused to replace the departing Burundian forces with Ugandan troops, a decision that could further destabilize the region.

In a surprising move, Burundian forces exited Garsaale—a strategic area that secures the airport in Jowhar.

Security officials in Hirshabelle’s Ministry of Security told Kaab TV that they were not informed of the Burundian troop withdrawal in advance.

The Burundi forces also vacated another key outpost near Jowhar that played a vital role in the city’s overall security.

The government of Burundi previously announced its intention to withdraw its forces from Somalia, citing dissatisfaction with how troops were allocated under the 2025 AUSSOM mission—an operation still lacking financial backing.

In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab has intensified its presence in parts of Middle Shabelle, seizing control of areas such as Masaajid Cali Guduud, Al-Kowthar, and Aadan Yabaal.

The group has also disrupted security along the road between Jowhar and Mogadishu, and entered the town of Balcad—just 30 kilometers from Mogadishu—at the end of March.

The unexpected withdrawal of Burundian forces has sparked fears among Jowhar residents, who now worry about the implications of the security vacuum left behind.

Jowhar is the capital of the Hirshabelle regional administration.

So far, Hirshabelle authorities have not announced a plan to fill the gaps left by the Burundian troops, whose presence had been critical to maintaining stability in the area.

The post Museveni Hesitant Somalia Request for Troop Deployment in Hirshabelle appeared first on Kaab TV.

However, the credibility of the court itself is under scrutiny, as its officials have been implicated in widespread corruption, money laundering, and even sexual abuse against vulnerable women seeking justice.

Ahmed Isse Gutale, a former journalist whose contract with BBC Media Action was terminated in 2010 due to incompetence, has served as Somalia’s Auditor General since February 2023.

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His appointment by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was reportedly a reward for Gutale’s role in a propaganda campaign through Radio Mustaqbal in favor of Mohamud during the 2021 Mogadishu street violence and the subsequent presidential election in 2022.

Radio Mustaqbal, a Mogadishu-based media outlet, is co-owned by Gutale and his cousin, Mustaf Yasin, the Director of Somalia’s National Communication Authority.

Following Gutale’s appointment, government experts and civil society groups raised concerns about his lack of experience and alleged corrupt practices.

The Corruption Scandal Unfolds

Gutale soon became embroiled in internal conflicts within the government. He allegedly demanded a 5% cut from every transaction processed through the Office of the Auditor General, leading to tensions with Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh and Accountant General Anas Abdirahman.

In November 2023, the Accountant General sought legal clarification from the Solicitor General on how to address the dispute. That same month, the Finance Minister took the unprecedented step of removing the Auditor General’s signature from all government payment requests.

Documents reveal a power struggle between Somalia Minister of Finance @BihiEgeh and Auditor General @AIGutale over who has the authority to authorize payments while the Accountant General writes to the Solicitor General to explain the matter. pic.twitter.com/lv7HnTYdBr

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) January 13, 2024

Two senior officials—Abdale Mohamed, the Quality Control Auditor, and another audit management officer—were dismissed after raising concerns about Gutale’s conduct.

Additionally, a female employee, Hafso Abduqadir Ali, was suspended and placed under security investigation after Gutale discovered she had married the former husband of his second wife, causing a week-long controversy within the Auditor General’s office.

The $5 Million Extortion Scheme

Under the guise of combating terror financing, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his former National Intelligence Director, Mahad Salad—who is also Gutale’s cousin—reportedly orchestrated an extortion campaign targeting businesses, NGOs, and individuals.

The government allegedly froze assets and demanded payments, raising an estimated $5 million, according to affected businesspeople and civil society members.

According to sources, these funds were funneled into private accounts with the facilitation of Premier Bank, a financial institution co-owned by President Mohamud.

The extortion racket forced several business leaders to flee Somalia, shifting millions of dollars in local investment to Kenya, Dubai, and Turkey.

The crisis escalated when Gutale demanded a share of the illicit proceeds, prompting court officials to act swiftly, according to one judge who is not involved in the case.

“The five million dollars are withdrawn from various accounts. These are the money generated as extortion from businesses and individuals whose monies were frozen between 2022 to 2024,” said a court official.

On Saturday, Banadir Regional Court Judge Salah Ali Mohamud, himself implicated in corruption, issued a summons for Gutale to appear before the court within 24 hours on charges of corruption, fraud, and abuse of power.

In response, Gutale held a press conference accusing court officials—including Banadir Regional Court Chairman Salah Ali Mohamud, Appeals Court Chairman, Supreme Court Judge Bashe Yusuf, and his associate Salah Ali Dhiblawe (also known as Salah Dheere)—of massive corruption and obstructing financial audits.

“Our investigation found that from 2016 to 2025, there has been no audit report on the finances collected by the Banadir Regional Court, the Appeals Court, and district-level courts. Additionally, court officials blocked all our attempts to audit these funds,” Gutale claimed.

Two of the accused officials (pictured above), Salah Ali Mohamud and Salah Ali Dhiblawe, are close allies of President Mohamud and have previously been linked to corruption, and terror-related activities and sexual abuse allegations against minority women seeking justice in the courts.

Presidential Intervention and Uncertain Resolution

A source within Villa Somalia confirmed that President Mohamud intervened in the escalating crisis on Sunday night, instructing Gutale, Salah Ali Mohamud, and Salah Ibrahim Dhiblawe to cease further actions against each other.

The same source indicated that the $5 million at the heart of the dispute has already vanished.

With no clear resolution in sight, it remains uncertain what actions will be taken.

While the Auditor General technically falls under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s office, aides to Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre have remained silent, unwilling to intervene in a conflict involving the president’s most powerful and corrupt allies.

Independent legal expert Abdullahi Dudaaye described the case as “unprecedented,” urging Gutale to comply with the court order.

“Gutale appears to be interfering with judicial processes and should surrender himself to the court,” Dudaaye told Universal Somali TV.

The post Somalia’s Auditor General and Court Officials Clash Over Multi-Million Dollar Extortion Proceeds appeared first on Kaab TV.

All major markets in Mogadishu remained closed on Saturday, February 8, as traders staged demonstrations against what they described as unbearable financial burdens and growing insecurity.

In a statement issued on Friday, the business community announced their decision to shut down operations in response to escalating extortion.

All major markets in Mogadishu remained closed today as traders staged a protest against excessive taxation and extortion.

In a statement issued yesterday, the #Mogadishu business community announced their decision to shut down businesses in response to what they described as an… pic.twitter.com/7vcWhZmfdG

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) February 8, 2025

“The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) began threatening business owners and forcibly shutting down shops under the pretext of tax collection. Meanwhile, the police issued illegal demands for payments. As a result, we have decided to close our businesses,” the statement read.

The closure has severely impacted key commercial hubs, including Bakara Market, the country’s largest business center, as well as Suuq Bacaad, which remained shut over the weekend.

However, small portions of both markets partially reopened by late Monday, according to Kaab TV reporters who visited the area.

Thousands of daily wage earners and small business owners who depend on these markets for their livelihoods have been affected by the shutdown.

When questioned about the crisis on Saturday, Internal Security Minister General Abdullahi Ismail Fartaag deflected responsibility, stating that the issue should be addressed by the Ministry of Finance.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab continues to impose additional levies on businesses in Mogadishu, adding further financial strain on traders who receive no government protection against such extortion.

The post Mogadishu Businesses Strike Over Government and Al-Shabaab Extortion appeared first on Kaab TV.

Known for its fertile soil and diverse crop and fruit production, the region is central to Somalia’s food supply.

However, farmers in the area face relentless challenges that threaten their livelihoods and survival.

The majority of farmers in Lower Shabelle have been displaced, forced to abandon their land due to a combination of factors: insecurity caused by Al-Shabaab, ongoing clan militia clashes, and the devastating effects of climate change, which have reduced river water levels and rainfall.

The post Lower Shabelle Farmers: Survival Between Al-Shabaab and The Government appeared first on Kaab TV.

Known for its fertile soil and diverse crop and fruit production, the region is central to Somalia’s food supply.

However, farmers in the area face relentless challenges that threaten their livelihoods and survival.

The majority of farmers in Lower Shabelle have been displaced, forced to abandon their land due to a combination of factors: insecurity caused by Al-Shabaab, ongoing clan militia clashes, and the devastating effects of climate change, which have reduced river water levels and rainfall.

As a result, many local farmers have sought refuge in displacement camps in Mogadishu and other places, leaving fertile lands untended.

Lower Shabelle is divided into eight districts. Six are under government control, while two—Kuntu Waarey and Sablaale—remain under Al-Shabaab’s dominance.

In towns like Janaale, a highly fertile area, farmers continue their efforts to cultivate crops despite overwhelming odds.

Caught between two worlds that cannot coexist

In Janaale, farmers must navigate a daily struggle between two opposing authorities. During the day, Al-Shabaab controls the farmlands and demands financial contributions in the form of zakawat (a kind of extortion tax).

At night, when farmers return home, they face the government, which imposes its taxes. Aweys Eebow Haji, a 60-year-old farmer from Janaale, describes this impossible situation.

“The output of our farms has significantly decreased because, during the day, we operate under Al-Shabaab’s control, and at night, we return to the government’s jurisdiction. This is unsustainable. We live between two worlds that cannot coexist.”

Al-Shabaab demands zakawat from farmers, often forcing them to deliver their harvested crops. Questions about affordability or legitimacy are not tolerated.

“You can’t question them,” says Aweys.

He explains that Al-Shabaab also forbids farmers from cutting down trees, as they use forested areas as hideouts.

Farmers who clear their lands risk being accused of harming Al-Shabaab’s operations and face severe punishments, including being forced to compensate with weapons.

For many, the challenges have become unbearable. Some farmers have abandoned their lands entirely, leading to vast areas becoming overgrown and uncultivable.

The lack of resources and investment further exacerbates the problem.

In government-controlled areas, irrigation systems have fallen into disrepair, making it nearly impossible to bring water to the farms.

Without proper irrigation, the lands remain unused, even during the rainy season.

Farmers like Aweys lament that, without unity and security in the country, these challenges will persist, and hunger will continue to devastate communities.

The Struggle in Shalambood

In Shalambood, another agriculturally rich town in Lower Shabelle which is about 96 kilometres, the situation is no different.

Approximately 90% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods.

However, outdated irrigation canals and lack of investment hinder farming.

“The Shalambood canal, which once extended to Janaale, is now obsolete. It hasn’t been dredged in years. When the rains come, there’s no way for the water to reach our farms,” says Ali Adan Nur, a farmer in Shalambood.

He explains that while businesses did not show interest in investing, the local farmers lack the tools and infrastructure to store rainwater or modernize their farming methods.

Despite these dire conditions, Somalia’s Ministry of Agriculture has yet to announce or implement plans to support farmers in areas under Al-Shabaab’s control.

Farmers in these regions are left to fend for themselves, caught between militant threats and government neglect.

For the farmers of Lower Shabelle, farming is not just a livelihood—it’s a lifeline. Yet, insecurity, lack of resources, and the absence of effective governance have left them struggling to survive.

Many have resorted to waiting for rare food handouts and ration vouchers, unable to return to the lands that once sustained them.

(Watch this report on Youtube with video subtitle in English)

The post Lower Shabelle Farmers Struggle Between Al-Shabaab Threats and Government Neglect appeared first on Kaab TV.