On Tuesday, 2 September, police officers in Laascaanood summoned Daljir Media reporter Mohamed Muse Yusuf (known as Mohamed Koronto) shortly after his interview with the regional Minister of Information, Najib Barkhadle, was published by Daljir Media. In the interview reviewed by SJS, Mr. Barkhadle criticized the process of Northeast State’s formation, which was rebranded from SSC-Khaatumo under the backing of the Somali federal government. He described the process as “hastened and lacking major consensus.” He also condemned the federal Minister of Interior, who had recently called on Laascaanood authorities to crush opposition groups.

Mohamed Koronto told SJS that when he reported to the Laascaanood police station on Tuesday afternoon alongside colleague journalists, he was harassed by criminal investigation officers, who told him they did not like the interview he conducted with Mr. Barkhadle, who is now regarded as an opposition figure.

Mr. Barkhadle’s interview came three days after President, Abdukadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye, was re-elected in a vote held in Laascaanood.

On Wednesday, 3 September, security personnel attached to the Northeast State president, Abdukadir Firdhiye arrested journalist Sharma’arke Abdi Mahdi, who runs the Facebook news page, Khaatumo TV, which covers local news. Sharma’arke said he was assisting another journalist during an event where President Abdukadir Firdhiye launched a voter registration drive in Laascaanood. The officers arrested Sharma’arke by force and beat him with punches and kicks.

At 10:00 a.m., the journalist was taken to the police station, where he was held incommunicado until late evening without the knowledge of his family or colleagues. This sparked concern, leading fellow journalists to search for him until they eventually found him detained at the station. Journalists who visited him told SJS that officers working for President Firdhiye accused Sharma’arke of recording video clips about the president, which the journalist denied.  He was released during the night without charge.

Sharma’arke told SJS that the president’s team disliked his reporting and that he believes this was the reason for his arrest.

Journalists in Laascaanood reported to SJS that their reporting had been made difficult in the recent days and that local authorities were copying repressive measures employed by the federal government in Mogadishu against journalists.

“We condemn the arbitrary arrest of journalist Sharma’arke Abdi Mahdi and the harassment of reporter Mohamed Muse Yusuf in Laascaanood. Authorities in Laascaanood should understand that their actions are not helping the state formation process. In fact, what they are doing is a blatant violation of press freedom and an attempt to silence independent journalism in Northeast State,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We call for an end to the intimidation of journalists in Laascaanood as we urge the Northeast State authorities to guarantee the safety and protection of all media workers carrying out their professional duties,” added Mr. Mumin.

(Source: SJS)

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On 22 July, the Puntland Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA) summoned Puntland-based online journalist Mohamud Nadif Shire after he published a series of news reports about Puntland’s ongoing counter-terrorism operation in Cal Miskaad. His reports included one telling soldiers opening fire on civilians in Garowe; complaints by the Puntland soldiers about lack of care; grievances from soldiers over unpaid dues, and coverage of the recent conflict in the Sanaag region involving Puntland maritime police force. These reports, which SJS reviewed, span from June to July of this year.

Shire, who runs a Facebook page with a following of 236,000, told SJS that he received a summoning order from PISA via phone call on 22 July. He was interrogated by PISA officers in Bosaso city on 24 July and instructed to report to the security agency’s office once every week. According to Mohamud, the questions he faced during the interrogation were intimidating and mainly focused on his reporting of security issues in the region.

On 30 July, SSC-Khaatumo authorities in Laascaanood briefly arrested freelance journalist Mohamed Muse Tarsan, who also reports for Somali National TV, after he conducted a live Facebook broadcast covering a protest by Warsangali clan delegates at the SSC-Khaatumo state formation conference in Laascaanood, which has since been renamed Northeast Somalia State.

Tarsan told SJS that he was held in detention for about eight hours before being released, and that those who arrested him wanted to suppress his “reporting and independent views” regarding the political developments in Laascaanood. The video, which was initially livestreamed on Tarsan’s Facebook, has since been deleted. The delegates reportedly protested against the number of parliamentary seats allocated to their clan in the new state assembly, as the federal government pushed for the completion of the new state which concluded on Sunday.

On 25 March, Puntland police in Galkayo, Mudug region, violently assaulted and arrested journalist Dalmar Isse Ahmed (popularly known as Dalmar Socdaal) after he published a video on his Facebook page on 13 March showing himself obtaining a national ID card issued by Somalia’s federal government in the southern part of Galkayo, which is under Galmudug administration. In the video, the journalist, who resides in Puntland-controlled North Galkayo, urged people to apply for the ID card.

Journalists present at the scene told SJS that during Dalmar’s arrest, the police fired heavy gunfire in a crowded area, putting many civilians at serious risk. Dalmar told SJS that he was held day and night in a small room near a Puntland police checkpoint on the outskirts of Galkayo before being released without trial or charges. He said that after the incident, he fled to Mogadishu out of fear for his safety.

Puntland authorities had warned its citizens against obtaining the federal government’s ID card calling it “politically-motivated”. Instead, Puntland announced that it would launch its own separate citizen identification card.

Puntland police in Galkayo declined to comment to SJS on why live ammunition was used and why the journalist was arrested.

“The arrest of Dalmar Isse Ahmed in Galkayo and the summoning and interrogation of Mohamud Nadif Shire in Bosaso are all meant to silence their reporting. We call on Puntland authorities not to use security or other pretexts to silence journalists while they are reporting on issues of public interest,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We are glad that Mohamed Muse Tarsan is free after a brief detention in Laascaanood. However, we call on authorities there to recognize that openness and transparency are the only ways to ensure effective administration, and that arresting journalists simply because you do not like what they report will not work at all,” added Mr. Mumin.

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According to SSC-Khaatumo police, the brutal assault took place on 14 June in Laascaanood, the regional capital.

Photos of the suspects were released by the police following their arrest on Tuesday 17 June.

“Twenty-four men who gang raped two sisters are now in our custody, and we will be taking them to court,” said SSC-Khaatumo Police Spokesperson, Captain Liibaan Barre.

The horrific case triggered mass protests on Wednesday, with hundreds of residents taking to the streets.

Demonstrations began after reports emerged that one of the suspects had been temporarily released to sit for the national high school exams.

Police later confirmed that the suspect was re-arrested.

The unrest led to property destruction, looting, and the death of at least one person.

The two victims, both teenagers, had recently been displaced from Erigabo, Sanaag region, and were seeking refuge in Laascaanood, where ongoing conflict has already taken a toll on the civilian population.

A police source told Kaab TV that one of the girls went into shock and remains hospitalized.

Support services for survivors of sexual violence in the region are nearly non-existent. Local health workers lack the specialized training to deal with rape cases, and deep-rooted social taboos often prevent women and girls from coming forward.

SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdiqadir Aw-Jama Firdhiye, who returned to Laascaanood from Mogadishu on Thursday, condemned the attack and pledged swift justice.

He confirmed that a team of police investigators had been brought in from the capital to assist with the case.

“I want to state very clearly: we will ensure justice for the girls,” Firdhiye said.

He criticized police for releasing a suspect to sit for exams, calling it “a serious mistake that should never be repeated.”

He also extended condolences to residents who lost property during the protests.

The Laascaanood case is yet another stark example of the violence women face in Somalia, where rape cases are frequently resolved through clan negotiations — often forcing victims to marry their attackers.

In a separate statement, police acknowledged attempts by some individuals to interfere with the investigation.

“We warn against any attempt to obstruct the pursuit of justice for the girls, who have suffered physical abuse, psychological harm, and violations,” the police said on Thursday. “Those responsible are in custody and will be brought to justice as intended.”

Local officials told Kaab TV that the case is now being handled by an investigative committee appointed by the SSC-Khaatumo Minister of Justice.

The post Outrage in Laascaanood After 24 Arrested for Gang Rape of Two Sisters appeared first on Kaab TV.

The battle, which lasted more than nine months and took place in the city of Lasanod, led to the defeat of Somaliland forces in August 2023.

SSC-Khaatumo captured more than 300 Somaliland prisoners, who were being held in a detention facility in Lasanod.

The release of the 25 prisoners was announced in a joint statement issued by the Federal Government of Somalia and SSC-Khaatumo.

“The SSC-Khaatumo administration, after consultation with its governing councils, has handed over 25 prisoners captured during the fighting with Somaliland to the Federal Government of Somalia,” the press release stated.

The statement coincided with the conclusion of a two-day visit to Lasanod by Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.

The SSC-Khaatumo administration has released 25 prisoners of war who were captured during the 2023 conflict between SSC-Khaatumo forces and Somaliland.

According to the press release, SSC-Khaatumo decided to release the prisoners due to their health conditions.

SSC-Khaatumo… pic.twitter.com/5bDt2ldPMM

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) April 15, 2025

According to the press release, SSC-Khaatumo decided to release the prisoners due to their health conditions.

SSC-Khaatumo said the decision was made in consideration of the ongoing peacebuilding initiative.

It remains unclear what will happen to the other prisoners still in SSC-Khaatumo’s custody.

Meanwhile, Somaliland is also holding individuals from the Lasanod area in detention in Hargeisa.

There have been calls from members of the international community urging SSC-Khaatumo and Somaliland to engage in dialogue to resolve their disputes and release all detainees held by both sides.

Lasanod was previously part of Somaliland, which had declared separation from Somalia.
However, since the beginning of 2024, the Federal Government has recognized it as part of a Somali federal member state.

The post SSC-Khaatumo Releases 25 Somaliland Prisoners of War Amid Ongoing Peace Efforts appeared first on Kaab TV.

The fighting which broke out on Monday resulted hundreds of deaths including civilians and the injury of several hundreds, according to local hospitals and journalists.

On Friday, Amnesty International said that they were ‘appalled by reports of large numbers of people killed, injured & displaced, & damage to homes & a hospital.’

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