Somali Brief: Security sweeps, parliament suspension, energy talks close

Feb 01, 2026 — Security operations, parliament pause, energy talks conclude

Top story

• NISA operation in Middle Shabelle — The National Intelligence and Security Agency says a targeted operation in the Maxaa Saciid/Maha-Said area killed 13 militants, including five senior commanders, and wounded eight others; NISA identified the five commanders by name and said the meeting targeted was planning attacks and coercion of locals. (Overview)
• Why it matters — NISA says the strike disrupted leadership responsible for operations across Middle Shabelle, Galgaduud and Bay and urged civilians to avoid militant areas and report threats via hotlines. (Implication)
• Sources — Primary: NISA eliminates 13 Al-Shabaab militants (SONNA) — Read; Also from: NISA targeted operation in Maha-Said (SONNA) — Read.

What else happened

Security

• SNA Gorgor commandos clear bushland north of Jabad-Godane — Forces conducted clearance operations, seizing abandoned weapons and ammunition; commanders reported bodies and more abandoned materiel left by fleeing fighters. (SONNA) — Read
• Defense minister: senior militants seeking surrender — Minister Ahmed Macallin Fiqi said senior Al-Shabaab figures have contacted the government asking to surrender and request amnesty as they lose safe havens. (SONNA) — Read
• PM meets senior diplomats on sovereignty and defense — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre received delegations to reinforce national defense and international relations amid what the government described as an external assault on Somalia’s unity. (SONNA) — Read

Governance

• Parliamentary sessions suspended after disorder — The Speaker suspended joint plenary and House of the People sessions following disorder on Jan 28 and issued final warnings to some MPs involved in the disruption. (SONNA) — Read
• Federal government reaffirms security responsibility — Government reiterated its constitutional duty to protect citizens, said some Future Forum members attempted to transport armed personnel into Mogadishu ahead of a national dialogue and urged compliance with airport and capital security protocols. (SONNA) — Read
• President appoints Somali National University vice chancellors — Five vice chancellors were named for academic, administrative, student, research and planning portfolios; the president urged them to follow the law in carrying out duties. (SONNA) — Read
• Interior Ministry director meets civil society — Director General Abdulqadir Ilmi met civil society leaders to strengthen cooperation on national priorities, defense and drought response; CSOs reaffirmed support for state-building and assistance to drought‑affected communities. (SONNA) — Read

Economy & Humanitarian

• Dhusamareb conference closes on energy and water coordination — A two-day Federal–State meeting produced a unified push on drought response and projects including ILAYS (Somalia Electricity Recovery), Jowhar Water Development, Barwaaqo+ reservoir work and the Abaartire drought‑response program. (SONNA) — Read

On the ground

• Civilians were explicitly urged by NISA to avoid areas where militants operate and to report security information through provided hotlines. (SONNA) — Read
• Civil society leaders met with the Interior Ministry to coordinate community‑level drought relief and reaffirmed support for government unity and sovereignty efforts. (SONNA) — Read
• Conference coverage from Dhusamareb included images of ministers and delegations—underscoring an emphasis on project implementation across federal member states. (SONNA) — Read
• Security forces reported recovered weapons and bodies in recent clearance sweeps, signaling active operations in contested bushland. (SONNA) — Read

Watchlist

• Official confirmation and wider verification of the casualty and commander identifications from the NISA operation — watch for follow-up statements or independent reporting. (SONNA) — Read
• Any formal surrender or amnesty process for senior Al-Shabaab members that the Defense Ministry mentioned — look for program details and reintegration plans. (SONNA) — Read
• Whether Parliament lifts the suspension and how the Speaker’s disciplinary warnings are applied to MPs involved in the Jan 28 disorder. (SONNA) — Read
• Implementation timelines and financing details for the ILAYS, Jowhar water, Barwaaqo+ and Abaartire programs announced at Dhusamareb. (SONNA) — Read

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.