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Hirshabelle warns airlines to stay out of Hiraan politics following an escalation of administrative friction between regional state authorities and local governance actors in central Somalia. In an official directive issued by the Hirshabelle Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, led by Minister Farah Mohamed Osman, commercial air carriers and ground transport operators operating out of Ugaas Khalif Airport have been formally instructed to reject directives originating from outside authorized ministerial channels. The governmental warning seeks to insulate civilian aviation infrastructure and commercial transport services from localized political rivalries that have intensified across the Hiiraan region.
The ministerial decree comes in direct response to conflicting orders issued by rival administrative factions regarding flight manifests, passenger transport restrictions, and commercial movements into Beledweyne. Earlier local directives had sought to bar carriers from transporting specific officials affiliated with the regional administration, prompting state aviation authorities to intervene and assert regulatory oversight. Government officials emphasized that commercial airlines must strictly confine their operations to public transportation and regular commercial logistics, warning that any entities caught enforcing unverified political bans or bypassing state aviation rules will face immediate legal action.
Copies of the official transport warning were formally distributed to security agencies, airport management teams, and the Sector Four Command of the African Union support and stabilization mission to ensure coordinated enforcement. Tensions in the region have been running high due to an ongoing standoff over administrative authority, leadership appointments, and regional customs control between Hirshabelle state leaders and local figures in Hiiraan. Observers note that involving commercial aviation in political disputes risks disrupting vital humanitarian supplies, public mobility, and economic activity for communities dependent on reliable air transport links.
Civic leaders and regional analysts have urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and prioritize public safety over political maneuvering as administrative talks continue. Maintaining uninterrupted transport corridors remains crucial for regional stability and commerce. As Hirshabelle warns airlines to stay out of Hiraan politics, state transport regulators continue monitoring airport compliance closely to ensure that commercial aviation corridors remain neutral pathways dedicated entirely to serving the civilian population.