Country Risk Report
Somalia
Mogadishu
Somali and Arabic (official); English and Italian
Somali shilling (SOS)
Executive Summary
Somalia is classified as an EXTREME risk destination and has endured continuous armed conflict for over three decades. The dominant threat is Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate that controls an estimated 30 per cent of the country, operates a parallel administration with its own taxation and courts, and has encircled the capital, Mogadishu, with checkpoints on its outskirts. A separate Islamic State affiliate operates in the north-east. The drawdown of the African Union mission has created a security vacuum that Al-Shabaab has exploited, retaking districts in the Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in late 2025 and intensifying its offensive into early 2026. Mogadishu suffered a series of major bombings between October 2025 and March 2026, including an attack near the international airport in February 2026 that killed more than 30 people. The country is also in a deepening political crisis, with fighting breaking out in Mogadishu in June 2026 between federal forces and political rivals. Kidnapping, piracy off the coast, clan conflict, drought and one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises compound the picture. Cover is available on request only. Standard travel insurance is invalid.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | Extreme | Long-running war with Al-Shabaab controlling around 30 per cent of territory, plus intra-government fighting. |
| Terrorism | Extreme | Frequent vehicle bombs and complex attacks in Mogadishu and beyond; foreigners are targets. |
| Kidnapping | Extreme | High risk to foreigners from Al-Shabaab and criminal networks; piracy risk offshore. |
| Crime | High | Armed robbery, clan violence and extortion amid weak state control. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Deepening constitutional and electoral crisis, with fighting in the capital in mid-2026. |
| Health & Medical | Extreme | Health services are minimal and famine conditions recur. Serious cases require evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | Extreme | Checkpoints, IEDs, contested territory and limited safe routes make movement extremely dangerous. |
| Digital / Cyber | High | Surveillance, monitoring, and a phone ban in Al-Shabaab areas. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Somalia is an active conflict environment with no reliably safe area in the south and centre. Al-Shabaab contests or controls large areas and has encircled the capital, the African Union drawdown has weakened defensive lines, and a political crisis has added intra-government fighting.
Mogadishu and Benadir
South-Central Somalia (Lower Shabelle, Middle Jubba, Hiraan)
Puntland and the North-east
Somaliland and the North-west
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
A long-running war pits the federal government, backed by African Union forces, Turkey and US support, against Al-Shabaab, which has recovered momentum amid the mission drawdown. Intra-government fighting in the capital has added a new dimension.
Mogadishu faces both insurgent attacks and, in 2026, fighting between government factions.
South-central Somalia is the main theatre against Al-Shabaab, with shifting front lines.
The north-east sees conflict with the Islamic State affiliate and clan tensions.
The north-west is comparatively peaceful but not immune to localised conflict.
Terrorism
Al-Shabaab conducts frequent, high-capability attacks, including vehicle bombs and complex assaults on hotels, government buildings and the airport road, and has attempted to assassinate the president. Foreigners and internationally frequented locations are targets.
Mogadishu is the primary target for mass-casualty and complex attacks.
South-central areas face frequent attacks and Al-Shabaab governance.
The north-east faces Islamic State affiliate activity.
The north-west faces a lower but real threat.
Kidnapping and Detention
Kidnapping is a high risk for foreigners, who are targeted by Al-Shabaab and criminal networks for ransom and leverage, and there is a legacy piracy risk offshore. Aid workers and journalists are specifically at risk, and Al-Shabaab detains those it captures.
Mogadishu carries abduction risk despite security, especially in transit.
South-central Somalia presents an extreme abduction risk in and near Al-Shabaab areas.
The north-east carries abduction risk from the Islamic State affiliate and criminal actors.
The north-west is comparatively safer but not immune.
Crime and Lawlessness
Weak state control, clan dynamics and economic hardship drive armed robbery, extortion and violence. Al-Shabaab and clan actors run checkpoints and taxation, and policing is limited.
Mogadishu sees armed crime and extortion alongside the terrorism threat.
South-central areas are largely lawless outside government-held towns.
The north-east has significant crime and clan disputes.
The north-west has comparatively more order.
Internal Travel
Overland movement is extremely dangerous, with IEDs, ambushes, Al-Shabaab and clan checkpoints and contested territory. Road travel between cities is proscribed by several governments, and air travel is the only viable option for many routes.
Movement around Mogadishu is high risk, particularly the airport road.
South-central road travel crosses Al-Shabaab territory and should be avoided.
North-eastern routes are hazardous and affected by clan and militant activity.
North-western routes are comparatively safer but still require caution.
Health and Disease
Health services are minimal, and recurrent drought and famine conditions drive severe malnutrition and disease outbreaks including cholera and measles. Serious cases require international evacuation, which is difficult from insecure areas.
Mogadishu has the best-resourced but still limited facilities.
South-central areas have minimal services and recurrent famine.
The north-east has limited facilities over long distances.
The north-west has basic but comparatively more functional services.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Somalia is a conservative, majority-Muslim society, and Al-Shabaab imposes a harsh interpretation of Sharia in areas it controls. Clan identity is central and sensitive, political topics are dangerous, and dress and behaviour should be conservative throughout.
Mogadishu is conservative and politically tense.
South-central areas under Al-Shabaab impose harsh codes.
The north-east is conservative with strong clan structures.
The north-west is conservative and clan-based.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and can carry the death penalty, and Al-Shabaab enforces lethal punishment in areas it controls. LGBT travellers face extreme danger and must exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines, IEDs and Unexploded Ordnance
Improvised explosive devices are a primary Al-Shabaab tactic on roads and against convoys, and decades of conflict have left unexploded ordnance in former battle areas. Overland routes in the south and centre are high risk.
Approaches to Mogadishu carry a significant IED risk.
South-central roads are heavily affected by IEDs.
The north-east faces localised IED and ordnance risk.
The north-west is comparatively less affected.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
The federal government controls Mogadishu and some towns but depends heavily on African Union and international support, and a constitutional and electoral crisis has driven intra-government fighting. Diplomatic and UN presence is concentrated in the fortified Halane compound near the airport, and consular support is minimal.
Mogadishu hosts the government and the fortified international compound.
South-central governance is contested with Al-Shabaab.
Puntland is a comparatively autonomous federal state.
Somaliland is self-declared independent and self-governing.
Digital and Cyber Threats
Communications are monitored, and Al-Shabaab bans mobile phones in areas it controls, giving it a monopoly on information there. Connectivity is uneven, and device scrutiny can occur at checkpoints.
Mogadishu has functioning but monitored connectivity.
South-central Al-Shabaab areas prohibit mobile phones.
North-eastern connectivity is variable.
North-western connectivity is comparatively stable.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Yellow Fever
Required if arriving from an endemic area; carry certification.
- Poliomyelitis
Recommended given circulation and disrupted immunisation.
- Cholera
Recommended given recurrent outbreaks.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis B
Recommended given regional risk and limited safe medical care.
Other Health Hazards
- Malaria: Risk is present, particularly in the south. Take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
- Famine and malnutrition: Recurrent drought and famine drive severe malnutrition; carry your own supplies.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is minimal. Carry a trauma kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Disease outbreaks: Cholera and measles outbreaks are common amid weak services.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Somalia. Cover is available on request only and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Given minimal healthcare and consular support, evacuation and K&R cover are essential. Policies may exclude Al-Shabaab controlled and contested areas and require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
Al-Shabaab, clan militias and government forces all operate checkpoints with very different conduct. Checkpoints are used to extort and to identify and abduct travellers. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph security forces, checkpoints or installations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Foreigners are prime targets for ransom and leverage. Most abductions occur in transit, especially on the airport road and inter-city routes. A legacy piracy risk persists off the coast. Locally hired staff may pass movement details to hostile actors.High-Risk Travellers
Leisure travellers have no support structure in an active conflict. Aid workers and journalists are specifically targeted for abduction. Unaccompanied individuals face extreme risk at checkpoints and on routes. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage bomb, ambush and famine conditions.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and war-risk insurance covering evacuation and K&R. Use hardened accommodation and vetted protection. Establish extraction and evacuation plans before arrival and carry a trauma kit. Carry your own food, water and medical supplies.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Note that mobile phones are prohibited in Al-Shabaab areas. Clear sensitive imagery, mapping data and affiliations. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid the south and centre, where Al-Shabaab controls or contests territory. Treat the Mogadishu airport road as a high-risk corridor. Avoid overland inter-city travel due to IEDs and ambushes. Expect Al-Shabaab, clan and government checkpoints.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Dress and behave conservatively; harsher codes apply in Al-Shabaab areas. Avoid clan and political topics. Never photograph security forces or installations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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