HOBYO, Somalia – The historic coastal district of Hobyo in the Mudug region became a focal point of national resistance today as thousands of residents poured into the streets to condemn what they termed the “naked aggression” of the Israeli government against the Federal Republic of Somalia. The massive demonstration comes in the wake of Israel’s controversial decision to recognize the Somaliland region, a move that has ignited fury across the Horn of Africa and prompted a unified stance from the Somali public.
Waving the azure blue flag of the republic and chanting slogans in defense of national unity, the people of Hobyo sent a resounding message to the international community. The atmosphere in the coastal town was charged with patriotic fervor as community leaders, youth organizations, and women’s groups marched through the main thoroughfares. They expressed their absolute rejection of any attempt to fragment the Somali nation, characterizing the Israeli diplomatic maneuver as a direct assault on Somalia’s territorial integrity and political independence.
Speakers at the rally addressed the crowd with passionate intensity, denouncing the Israeli action as a violation of international law and a provocation aimed at destabilizing the region. The protesters specifically condemned the “naked ambition” of the Israeli regime, echoing the sentiments expressed by the Federal Government at the United Nations Security Council yesterday. Many placards displayed by the demonstrators linked the defense of Somali land with the broader struggle against foreign interference, warning that the people of Mudug would not stand idly by while their country’s borders are threatened.
The demonstration in Hobyo holds particular resonance given the town’s historical significance as a hub of maritime trade and Somali heritage. Elders addressing the gathering reminded the youth of their duty to protect the legacy of their forefathers, urging them to remain vigilant against external plots designed to sow division. The rally concluded with a collective pledge of allegiance to the Federal Government of Somalia, with residents affirming their readiness to defend the nation’s sovereignty by any means necessary. This protest in Hobyo marks the beginning of what is expected to be a nationwide wave of demonstrations, signaling that the Somali populace is fully mobilized in defense of their homeland.
