Wednesday October 1, 2025
A view of Garbahaarrey, the administrative capital of Somalia’s Gedo region, where a neighbourhood chairman was shot and killed late Tuesday night. The town has witnessed a rise in targeted attacks in recent months, prompting heightened security operations.
Garbahaarrey, Somalia (HOL) — A neighbourhood official was shot dead late Tuesday night in Garbahaarrey, the administrative capital of Somalia’s Gedo region, in what authorities say reflects a surge in targeted killings that have shaken local confidence in security institutions.
The victim, identified as Abdi Fareey, chaired the Towfiiq neighbourhood and was ambushed by armed assailants who fled immediately after the attack, witnesses told Hiiraan Online. Security forces sealed off the area shortly after the shooting as investigations began.
Authorities have not yet identified a motive, though residents described Fareey as a respected community leader known for his outreach and mediation in neighbourhood disputes. His killing adds to a growing list of attacks against local officials in the region.
Police launched extensive operations across Garbahaarrey on Wednesday morning in pursuit of the perpetrators. Officials urged residents to assist the investigation, warning that repeated attacks risk undermining governance and community trust.
Garbahaarrey has seen a steady deterioration in security over recent months, with several similar assassinations targeting district officials and civil servants. Local leaders have appealed for greater federal support to stabilize Gedo, a region that remains strategically significant in southern Somalia’s counterinsurgency operations.