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Authorities in Somalia’s Northeastern State have firmly rejected a video circulating on social media that claims to show Al-Shabab militants operating near the city of Las Anod, describing it as completely fabricated and intended to spread fear and confusion among the public. Security officials say the footage is part of a deliberate misinformation campaign designed to undermine stability in the region.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Northeastern Somali Police Force said the video was fake and had been crudely manipulated using artificial intelligence tools and unrelated clips taken from online sources. According to the police, the people behind the video aimed to mislead residents, intimidate communities, and create the false impression that militant groups are active in areas where they have no presence.
The widely shared footage shows five masked individuals wearing military-style clothing and carrying weapons. Posts accompanying the video claimed the men were Al-Shabab fighters operating near Las Anod. Police officials dismissed these claims, stressing that the video was not filmed in Las Anod or anywhere in its surroundings and has no connection to the extremist group.
Security experts who reviewed the footage identified several clear signs of manipulation. Authorities pointed out that the landscape visible in the video, including the type of vegetation, terrain, and soil color, does not match the geography of Las Anod or nearby areas. They also noted that the audio track appears to have been added later and does not naturally align with the visuals, suggesting that multiple clips were stitched together to create a false and alarming narrative.
One image in the video, which shows an armed man standing on what appears to be aircraft wreckage, was also flagged as digitally altered. Police explained that the aircraft shown is an old wreck that has existed near Las Anod for many years and has no link to any recent security activity. They said the image was edited to make it seem as though armed groups were using the site, which is not the case.
The Northeastern Police Command emphasized that there is no evidence of any terrorist presence, base, or operational activity in the Northeastern regions of Somalia. Officials reassured residents that Las Anod and surrounding areas remain calm and stable, with local administration continuing to function and development activities ongoing. They said security forces are actively monitoring the situation and remain committed to protecting civilians.
Authorities warned that the spread of false information online poses a serious risk to public safety, as it can cause panic, damage trust, and disrupt peace. They said extremist groups and other hostile actors increasingly rely on digital manipulation and fake content to spread fear when they are unable to carry out real attacks on the ground.
The police urged residents to be cautious when consuming and sharing information on social media, advising the public to verify content through credible sources before believing or forwarding it. They also called on community members to cooperate with security agencies by reporting individuals or pages involved in spreading fabricated or defamatory material.
Security officials concluded by reaffirming their commitment to countering both physical threats and online disinformation campaigns. They said maintaining peace in the region requires not only strong security measures but also public awareness and responsible use of digital platforms.