El-Buh, Sanaag — Omar Abdullahi Abdi, a widely respected Somali traditional leader, was killed on Saturday in what local media report as a suspected airstrike that struck his vehicle near the town of El-Buh in the Sanaag region.
Eyewitnesses said the strike hit Abdi’s car as it was traveling on a rural road outside El-Buh, killing him instantly. The incident has caused shock among residents, as Abdi was regarded as a mediator and a voice of authority in community affairs.
Authorities in Puntland confirmed that security forces, including personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), have been deployed to the scene to establish the circumstances of the strike. Officials have not yet provided details on who carried out the attack or whether Abdi was the intended target.
No group has claimed responsibility, and it remains unclear whether the strike was linked to ongoing counter-terrorism operations in northern Somalia, where Al-Shabaab and other armed groups remain active.
Community members in Sanaag have expressed concern over the incident, calling for clarity and accountability. “He was a leader who worked for peace. His death in this way raises many questions,” a local elder told reporters.
The death of Abdi is expected to have wide-reaching implications in Sanaag, where traditional leaders play a key role in conflict resolution, social cohesion, and governance. Puntland authorities have pledged to provide further updates once their investigation concludes.