London, United Kingdom – The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an updated travel advisory for Somalia, warning British nationals of a high threat of kidnap across the country, including in Gedo Region. The notice was published on Sunday, September 21, and underscores the continuing dangers posed by armed groups, criminal networks, and local insecurity.
The FCDO cautioned that foreigners remain prime targets for kidnapping by terrorist groups such as al-Shabab, as well as for ransom-driven abductions by criminal gangs. According to the advisory, the threat is not limited to Mogadishu but extends across all federal member states, with Gedo singled out as an area of particular concern.
“Kidnaps are a significant risk throughout Somalia. Both terrorist and criminal groups have demonstrated intent and capability to target foreigners. British nationals should avoid all travel to Somalia,” the FCDO stated.
The updated guidance comes amid persistent instability in the Horn of Africa nation, where al-Shabab continues to wage an insurgency against the Federal Government of Somalia. Despite intensified military operations and international support, the group maintains control of parts of rural Somalia and has executed high-profile attacks in major cities.
The British government has consistently advised against all travel to Somalia, stressing that the risks include terrorism, armed conflict, piracy, and limited consular assistance. Sunday’s update reaffirms that abduction remains one of the most serious dangers, with past incidents showing victims often held for long periods in remote areas.
British nationals already in Somalia have been urged to exercise extreme caution, maintain a low profile, and review their personal security arrangements. The FCDO also emphasized that consular support is severely limited inside Somalia due to security restrictions.
This latest warning highlights the fragile security situation in Somalia, where civilians and foreigners alike remain vulnerable to violence, displacement, and abductions despite ongoing peacebuilding efforts.