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Somalia
Africa
Located in the Horn of Africa, Somalia has the longest coastline in mainland Africa. It faces political challenges but has a rich cultural and trading history.
18,000,000
Population
637,657
Area (km²)
Mogadishu
Capital
58
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
58 Events
September 16, 2025 - Four TikTokers arrested for insulting officials.
September 15, 2025 - Federal government launches first National Counter-IED Strategy.
August 21, 2025 - Cheetah cubs rescued from illegal trade; former presidents condemn land seizures.
August 17, 2025 - U.S. bombs al-Shabaab over eight days.
July 27, 2025 - Extremists capture key town.
July 15, 2025 - Al-Shabaab seizes central town, displacing thousands.
July 09, 2025 - Al-Shabaab explosion at training school.
July 02, 2025 - Ugandan helicopter crash kills soldiers.
June 30, 2025 - June: Report: 22,495 children affected by conflict in 2024.
June 24, 2025 - Al-Shabaab explosion at military school.
June 05, 2025 - U.S. travel ban imposed on Somalia.
May 27, 2025 - Exhibition soccer game with African stars in Mogadishu.
May 19, 2025 - Suicide attacker kills 13 at military recruitment center.
May 18, 2025 - Suicide bomb in Mogadishu kills 10.
May 10, 2025 - Floods in Mogadishu kill seven.
April 30, 2025 - Somalia bans Taiwanese entry; Taiwan reciprocates.
April 24, 2025 - Al-Shabaab claims Wargaadhi town.
April 16, 2025 - Al-Shabaab claims Adan Yabaal town.
March 23, 2025 - Kenyan plane crashes in Somalia, killing all onboard.
March 20, 2025 - Somalia offers U.S. exclusive air base/port control.
March 18, 2025 - Third Yemeni boat hijacked; president survives assassination attempt.
March 13, 2025 - Puntland court sentences guard for assaulting refugee child.
March 12, 2025 - Over 100 lawmakers demand president's resignation; Puntland plans anti-money laundering agency.
March 11, 2025 - Al-Shabaab hotel attack kills five.
February 27, 2025 - Security lockdown in Mogadishu during Ethiopian PM visit; al-Shabaab retakes then loses Balad; guards kill civilian at Lido Beach.
February 25, 2025 - AU finalizes AUSSOM troop distribution.
February 20, 2025 - Al-Shabaab attacks villages in Middle Shabelle; over 130 killed.
February 17, 2025 - Second Yemeni vessel hijacked off Eyl; abandoned February 22.
February 11, 2025 - Islamic State attacks military base in Togga Jacel, killing 27 soldiers and 70 militants.
February 10, 2025 - Pirates hijack Yemeni vessel off Eyl; rescued February 13.
February 01, 2025 - U.S. airstrikes kill senior Islamic State figure in Golis Mountains.
August 28, 2024 - Fighting between SSC-Khatumo and Puntland forces in Sool region.
August 27, 2024 - First Egyptian troops arrive for deployment against al-Shabaab.
August 21, 2024 - Suicide car bomb on Mogadishu–Afgoye highway kills nine.
August 17, 2024 - Al-Shabaab café bombing in Dayniile kills 20; Puntland executes al-Shabaab members.
August 08, 2024 - Government approves bill to revert to universal suffrage.
August 02, 2024 - Al-Shabaab Lido Beach attack kills 38 and injures 212.
July 22, 2024 - Al-Shabaab attacks three army bases, killing 35 soldiers and 80 militants.
July 15, 2024 - Clash over weapons in Abudwak kills 12.
July 14, 2024 - Car bomb at Mogadishu coffeehouse kills nine during Euro 2024 final.
July 13, 2024 - Al-Shabaab jailbreak attempt in Mogadishu kills five detainees and three guards.
July 08, 2024 - Al-Shabaab roadside bomb kills Ugandan officer near Mogadishu.
June 30, 2024 - Al-Shabaab suicide bombing near Beledweyne kills four.
June 23, 2024 - Flash floods in Mogadishu kill two children and displace 325 families.
June 15, 2024 - Al-Shabaab IED kills Major General Mohamed Dheere in Ideeda.
June 10, 2024 - Clan clashes in central Somalia kill 55 and injure 155.
June 06, 2024 - Somalia elected to UN Security Council for 2025–2026, first since 1970.
March 31, 2024 - Puntland withdraws recognition of the federal government over constitutional disputes.
March 22, 2024 - Al-Shabaab storms a military base near Mogadishu, killing seven soldiers.
March 18, 2024 - Turkish drone strike on Jaffey farm kills 22, mostly children, in Lower Shabelle.
March 14, 2024 - Al-Shabaab suicide bombing outside a Mogadishu hotel kills five and sparks a 13-hour siege, resulting in nine deaths and 27 wounded.
March 10, 2024 - U.S. airstrike kills three al-Shabaab militants near Ugunji; clashes in Beledweyne between regional forces kill six.
December 31, 2023 - Throughout the year: Over 180 political violence events recorded, with al-Shabaab responsible for most fatalities; humanitarian needs surge due to drought, floods, and conflict, displacing 3.8 million.
August 01, 2023 - August: SSC-Khatumo forces achieve victories against Somaliland, marking a peak in federal gains against al-Shabaab territorial control.
June 10, 2023 - Al-Shabaab launches a hotel attack in Mogadishu, killing six civilians and three soldiers, injuring ten; the group claims responsibility amid urban security challenges.
May 26, 2023 - Battle of Buulo Mareer sees al-Shabaab attack Ugandan forces, killing several soldiers and highlighting ATMIS vulnerabilities.
March 01, 2023 - March: U.S. airstrikes target al-Shabaab militants, part of intensified counterterrorism operations; Somali forces report a 70% decrease in al-Shabaab attacks by May due to federal offensives.
January 01, 2023 - January: Severe drought and humanitarian crisis worsen, affecting over 8.3 million people and pushing 4.3 million toward famine; the UN warns of Somalia's worst humanitarian situation in decades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Somalia
100 Questions
Somalia is in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.
Mogadishu, located on the Indian Ocean coast.
Around 18 million people as of 2025 estimates.
Somali (official), Arabic (official), English, and Italian.
Hot and dry, with frequent droughts and little rainfall.
The Somali shilling (SOS), though the U.S. dollar is widely used.
A light blue background with a white five-pointed star in the center.
Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Bosaso, Kismayo, and Baidoa.
On July 1, 1960, when British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland united.
Britain (north), Italy (south), and France (Djibouti area).
Aden Abdullah Osman Daar.
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke.
A military ruler who led Somalia from 1969 to 1991.
The collapse of Siad Barre’s government in 1991 and clan rivalries.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (re-elected in 2022).
A federal parliamentary republic.
Clans dominate politics through the 4.5 power-sharing system.
A self-declared independent region in northern Somalia, not internationally recognized.
An autonomous region in northeastern Somalia.
A federal member state in southern Somalia.
A 1977–78 conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Ogaden region.
Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti.
The Jubba and Shabelle rivers.
Shimbiris in the Cal Madow mountains, at 2,416 meters.
The Indian Ocean coast at sea level.
About 3,333 km, the longest in mainland Africa.
The Gulf of Aden (north) and the Indian Ocean (east).
Between 1°N and 12°N latitude, and 41°E and 51°E longitude.
Hargeisa.
Garowe.
The national military responsible for defense and security.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
A militant extremist group allied with Al-Qaeda.
Islam (over 99% Sunni Muslims).
Poetry, nomadism, hospitality, and oral tradition.
Canjeero, suqaar, bariis, camel milk, halwa.
A sweet spiced tea called shaah.
Strong coffee often flavored with cardamom.
Men: macawis; women: guntiino or dirac.
A traditional Somali dance performed in groups.
Poetry is a main form of communication and identity.
They include Islamic rituals, feasting, and traditional dances.
Burials follow Islamic customs, usually within 24 hours.
Football (soccer) is the most popular.
Yes, Somali athletes have participated since 1972.
Intricate textiles, poetry, and wood carvings.
A rich oral tradition of poetry and modern novels in Somali and English.
Short sayings that reflect wisdom, culture, and values.
Respect for elders, hospitality, and clan loyalty.
Guests are highly respected and offered food and tea.
Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Independence Day (July 1), and Union Day (June 26).
Livestock and remittances.
Livestock, bananas, fish, frankincense, hides.
They account for up to 40% of GDP.
Telecoms, trade, fishing, small-scale manufacturing.
Uranium, iron ore, tin, gypsum, oil, and gas potential.
Mogadishu Port, plus Berbera and Bosaso.
Exploration suggests offshore oil reserves.
Camels, goats, and sheep are the backbone of the economy.
Bananas, sorghum, maize, sesame, and sugarcane.
Yes, private banks and Islamic finance institutions.
Hawala, especially Dahabshiil and Hormuud.
One of the fastest-growing in Africa.
Unemployment, insecurity, drought, inflation.
Around 60–70%, especially among youth.
Yes, mainly from Turkey, Qatar, and Gulf states.
Around $8 billion (2025 estimate).
Yes, especially in urban areas.
Limited; many roads and services are underdeveloped.
Terrorism, poverty, drought, political instability.
It causes famine, migration, and livestock deaths.
With aid, irrigation, and resilience programs.
Malaria, cholera, TB, and malnutrition-related illnesses.
Underdeveloped, with NGOs filling gaps.
Improving, but rural areas have limited access.
Around 40–50%, with lower rates for women.
Around 30–35%, lower than men.
Yes, such as Somali National University and Amoud University.
Millions abroad in the U.S., UK, Canada, Middle East, and Europe.
They send back remittances and influence politics.
Most of Somalia is unsafe, though Somaliland is more stable.
The UN, AU, NGOs, and World Bank provide aid and support.
Yes, Mogadishu Aden Adde Airport and regional airports like Hargeisa and Bosaso.
No, there are no functioning railways.
Buses, minibuses, cars, and camels in rural areas.
Yes, including Lag Badana and Hargeisa National Park.
Camels, lions, cheetahs, zebras, antelopes, ostriches.
Desert shrubs, acacia trees, savannah grasses.
Arab, Italian, Indian, and African cooking.
A mix of oud, drums, and modern pop.
Coffee served with spices like cardamom in social gatherings.
A sweet dessert made from sugar, ghee, and cardamom.
Sweet black tea spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
Exporting camels, goats, and sheep to Gulf countries.
Yes, but many are underdeveloped due to conflict.
East Africa Time (UTC +3).
Ethiopians, Arabs, Persians, and Indians through trade.
A framework for governance adopted in 2012.
Challenging but hopeful, with stability, youth, and diaspora support.
It controls a key location along major shipping routes in the Horn of Africa.