MOGADISHU — The U.S. Embassy in Somalia has formally refuted claims that it issued a security alert regarding President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s planned visit to the northern city of Las Anod.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the embassy dismissed the circulating reports as false, clarifying that no travel warning had been issued for the region. The diplomatic mission urged the public and media to disregard the inaccurate information spreading online.
“The U.S. Embassy has not released any security warning concerning travel to Las Anod,” the statement emphasized. “Please rely on information from our official website and social media channels.”
Context of the Rumors
The denial follows a wave of unverified reports on social media alleging that Washington had flagged security concerns ahead of the President’s high-profile trip. These rumors surfaced as federal delegations began arriving in the city for the inauguration of Abdikarim Ahmed Ali (Firdhiye), the President of the newly established SSC-Khatumo administration.
A Historic Visit
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to travel to Las Anod on Thursday. The visit is viewed as a significant assertion of federal authority, occurring months after the region established its own administration following conflict with Somaliland forces.
The trip has already drawn reactions from regional actors, with Puntland officials previously accusing the Federal Government of inciting conflict by engaging so directly with the disputed territory. Despite these geopolitical tensions, the U.S. Embassy has clarified that it has not flagged any specific security threats to its citizens or personnel regarding the event.
The President’s attendance at the inauguration is expected to solidify Mogadishu’s support for the new administration, a move that signals a shift in the federal government’s approach to the ongoing dynamics in the Sool region.
