MOGADISHU (SD) – The Federal Government of Somalia has denied reports claiming it banned Israeli-linked ships from passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, saying no such decision has been issued.

Officials in Mogadishu stated that no decree or maritime directive exists, explaining that the reports stemmed from a misinterpretation of remarks by Somalia’s ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Abdullahi Warfaa. They said his comments were political in nature and not an official policy announcement.

The government also emphasized that Somalia does not control the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime route between Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea, and therefore lacks the authority or capacity to impose restrictions on shipping in that area.

The claims were initially circulated by some regional media outlets, which linked the alleged move to tensions surrounding Somaliland. Somali officials dismissed these reports as inaccurate and misleading.

Separately, a security incident was reported off the Somali coast near Eyl, where two armed boats approached a passing vessel before retreating after warning shots were fired. Authorities said the incident appeared to be piracy-related and unrelated to the false Bab al-Mandab reports.

The denial highlights Somalia’s sensitivity to misinformation in a tense regional environment, particularly around Red Sea security and geopolitical rivalries. Clarifying its limited maritime control helps avoid escalation, while the piracy incident underscores ongoing security challenges along Somalia’s coastline.