U.S. Embassy Denies Issuing Security Warning Over Somali President’s Las Anod Visit

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. Embassy in Somalia has denied reports claiming it issued a security warning regarding President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s planned visit to the northern city of Las Anod, describing the claims as false.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the embassy said it had not issued any security alert related to travel to Las Anod and urged the public to disregard what it called inaccurate information circulating online.

“The U.S. Embassy has not released any security warning concerning travel to Las Anod,” the statement said, adding that the public and media should rely only on information published through the embassy’s official website and verified social media accounts.

“Please rely on information from our official website and social media channels,” the embassy said. The president's trip is scheduled for Thursday, Tomorrow. 

The denial follows widespread reports on social media on Tuesday suggesting Washington had issued a security warning ahead of the Somali president’s expected trip to Las Anod, the capital of the newly established regional administration.

The reports circulated as delegations from Somalia’s federal government continued to arrive in Las Anod to attend the inauguration of the region’s president, Abdikarim Ahmed Ali, widely known as Firdhiye.

GAROWE ONLINE