Wednesday November 5, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali police have shut down an illegal abortion center operating in the Deyniile district of Mogadishu, where women with unwanted or unlawful pregnancies were being forced to terminate their pregnancies, officials said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Somali Police Spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan said that security forces raided the facility, arresting the man who ran it along with several women who worked there.
The spokesman described the discovery as “shocking and deeply concerning,” noting that the center had been operating openly and even promoted its services online.
“It is astonishing that they had posters and even a Facebook page advertising abortion services under the claim of helping women with unwanted pregnancies,” he added.
The police operation was conducted in coordination with the Somali National Health Professionals’ Council (NHPC), which condemned the illegal practice.
Dr. Cadow, the NHPC Secretary-General, said the council’s mission is to uphold ethical medical standards and protect public health.
“The activities carried out in this house were illegal and violated all health and ethical standards. It is our duty to act against such centers,” Dr. Cadow stated.
Authorities said the suspects will be brought before the courts, and investigations are ongoing to determine how long the facility had been operating and whether others were involved.