Following the tightening of security in Mogadishu, suspicious activities that were previously centered in the capital have now clearly shifted to Kismayo. Digital investigations and forensic analysis conducted by Somali Cyber Defence indicate that carefully coordinated plans are underway that pose a serious threat to the unity, sovereignty, and national security of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Images obtained from Kismayo Airport, along with air-travel data from the past 24 hours, show Kenyan military aircraft transporting individuals who are not Kenyan citizens to Kismayo, also groups identifying themselves as the “Somali National Consultative Forum” were also gathering.
Notably, repeated meetings and conferences have been planing in Kismanyo by these same groups, despite the fact that similar meetings previously held in Mogadishu produced no tangible political outcomes or progress. Rather than generating national consensus or political unity, these activities display clear indicators of foreign interference and coordinated efforts that indirectly undermine the interests of the Somali people.
Kismayo has increasingly become an operational and organizational hub, despite the expectation that the African Union should prevent any activity that threatens Somalia’s national interests.
Somali Cyber Defence issues a clear warning to residents of Kismayo that a genuine and serious threat is being organized from within the city. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant, act responsibly, and contribute to national awareness without placing themselves at personal risk. Any documents, images, or information that can be legally obtained and that serve the public interest should be responsibly documented and shared through social media channels. At the same time, Somali business leaders in Kenya and the Kenyan public at large are called upon to hold their government accountable so that Kenyan territory, taxpayer funds, and military assets are not used to create further instability in Somalia. The reality is clear: Al-Shabaab collects taxes from livestock within Kenya, not inside Somalia. The Kenyan government must prioritize protecting its own citizens rather than engaging in external interference. Aircraft traveling to Kismayo have reportedly been funded by Kenyan taxpayers at a cost of approximately $189 million.
Furthermore, Somali Cyber Defence calls on the African Union, the European Union, and the United States to ensure that the presence of foreign forces does not evolve into commercial or political interests that endanger Somalia’s sovereignty. Analysis shows that the prolonged situation in Kismayo has been sustained primarily through external support, a condition that cannot endure if such support is withdrawn. Additionally, as Al-Shabaab has shifted its strategy to hit-and-run attacks, counterterrorism efforts must focus on continuous surveillance, the use of drones, and precise targeting—an approach that has proven successful in other countries, including Algeria. We commend the Ministry of Defense and NISA for initiating coordinated cooperation with the United States and Turkey to weaken Al-Shabaab’s capabilities while minimizing harm to civilians.
Somali Cyber Defence
Protecting the Nation — Digitally and Strategically.
