Somalia bulletin: strike, diplomacy, oil and protests

Jan 02, 2026 — High-value militant killed; oil plans, UN role, mass protests.

Top story

• Precision strike kills explosives chief tied to Oct. 14 bombing — The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), with international partners, says a December 10 targeted operation in Jilib eliminated two senior leaders, including Abdullahi Osman Mohamed (“Engineer Ismail”), described as the terror group's explosives chief and alleged mastermind of the October 14 truck bombing; another senior figure in propaganda and Amniyat operations, Abdikarim Mohamed Hersi (“Qoorleex”), was also neutralized.
• Why it matters: The government frames the removals as a significant disruption to the group’s explosives, intelligence and media capabilities — a direct operational hit on actors it links to lethal attacks on civilians.
• Source: Somali National News Agency — NISA strike report

What else happened

Governance & Diplomacy

• Somalia holds rotating UN Security Council presidency for January — Somalia assumed the UNSC presidency for January 2026 and will chair Council meetings and set the month’s program of work. (Source: SONNA)
• PM meets Chinese envoy on defending Somalia’s unity — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and China’s Ambassador Wang Yu discussed a joint stance against what the PM called “naked interference” and Beijing reiterated support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. (Source: SONNA)
• Malaysia voices solidarity with Somalia — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly reaffirmed his country’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity. (Source: SONNA)
• Immigration agency delays domestic National ID travel rule — Enforcement of the requirement to carry a National ID for domestic travel is postponed from Jan. 1 to March 1, 2026, to give citizens time to complete biometric registration. (Source: SONNA)

Protests & Public response

• Mass rallies against perceived Israeli interference — Large demonstrations took place across Hirshabelle (Jowhar) and Hiiraan (Beledweyne), with regional leaders and crowds denouncing the diplomatic move they view as threatening Somalia’s unity. (Sources: SONNA, SONNA)

Economy & Infrastructure

• Government announces oil and gas progress; Turkish rig expected — The presidency reports positive technical assessments of Somalia’s hydrocarbon potential and says the Turkish drilling vessel “Çağrı Bey” is preparing for deployment; Prime Minister Hamza later said drilling operations are slated to begin in May. (Primary: SONNA — President; also from: SONNA — PM)
• Mogadishu opens Nasiib Buundo Road; municipal funding highlighted — Mayor Mungab inaugurated a locally financed road in Shibis, equipped with solar street lighting, and pledged wider urban road upgrades starting in 2026. (Source: SONNA)

Humanitarian

• Drought toll cited by PM: 4.4 million affected — At the Dhusamareb forum, the Prime Minister noted nearly 4.4 million Somalis are impacted by severe drought and called for sustained relief efforts. (Source: SONNA)

On the ground

• In Jowhar and Beledweyne, thousands marched through city centers chanting slogans and waving national flags — local leaders led rallies denouncing foreign interference. (Sources: SONNA, SONNA)
• Prime Minister Hamza received a warm welcome in Dhusamareb, meeting Galmudug leaders and community figures at the Heritage Institute forum. (Source: SONNA)
• At the Nasiib Buundo opening, the mayor urged residents to maintain sanitation while teams will manage road cleaning; the corridor includes solar lighting for night safety. (Source: SONNA)

Watchlist

• Follow official follow-ups on the December 10 strike — further government details, locations and any operational updates from NISA.
• UNSC under Somalia’s presidency — monitor agendas, statements and whether Somalia advances specific crisis responses during January. (Source: SONNA)
• Oil sector timeline — confirmation of the Çağrı Bey deployment schedule and whether drilling actually begins in May as the PM stated. (Sources: SONNA, SONNA)
• National ID rollout — watch registration center activity and public readiness ahead of the March 1 enforcement date. (Source: SONNA)

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.