By Rukhsar Zehra
In the Horn of Africa, Somalia has remained at the center of a long-running terrorism crisis for more than three decades. Despite sustained international efforts, the militant group Al-Shabaab continues to carry out deadly attacks against civilians, government institutions, and security forces. In the past year alone, hundreds of people have been killed in bombings and targeted assaults in Mogadishu and across the southern regions. As this violence increasingly spills beyond Somalia’s borders, international cooperation is no longer optional but essential.
Somalia’s instability traces back to the collapse of its central government in 1991. That breakdown created a power vacuum that allowed clan-based militias to proliferate and extremist ideologies to take root. Over time, Al-Shabaab emerged as the most powerful militant group, later aligning itself with Al-Qaeda. Its use of suicide bombings, assassinations, and attacks on public spaces has turned large parts of the country into sustained conflict zones.
Today, Somalia’s challenges extend well beyond security. The country is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than six million people—nearly a third of the population—require urgent assistance. Prolonged drought, rising food prices, and ongoing conflict have forced many families into displacement camps, where access to clean water, healthcare, and education remains severely limited.
This situation raises an important question: has the international community responded with sufficient urgency? Somalia is a Muslim-majority country, with more than 99% of its population following Islam. This often prompts debate over whether religion shapes global attention. However, there is no clear evidence that religion alone determines the level of support. In reality, political and strategic interests tend to shape international responses. Somalia’s crisis is not primarily about religion; it is the outcome of weak governance, prolonged conflict, terrorism, and climate-related pressures.
International efforts to stabilize Somalia have been significant, though uneven. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which replaced the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2022, has worked alongside Somali forces in counterterrorism operations and in efforts to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab. The United Nations and the World Health Organization continue to provide humanitarian assistance and essential healthcare services. Countries including the United States, Turkey, and several European states have offered military training, financial support, and development assistance.
Neighboring countries, particularly Kenya and Ethiopia, have also played an important role in securing borders against militant infiltration. However, major challenges remain. Persistent security risks often obstruct the delivery of aid to remote areas. Chronic funding shortages continue to weaken humanitarian operations, leaving large numbers of people without adequate support. In addition, the transition from ATMIS to Somali-led security forces is still incomplete, raising concerns about a potential security vacuum as African Union troops gradually withdraw.
Pakistan has also contributed to international efforts in meaningful ways. As a member of the United Nations, it has supported global counterterrorism initiatives and participated in maritime security operations near the Somali coast aimed at combating piracy and safeguarding trade routes. Pakistan has also drawn on its own experience in counterinsurgency by providing training and technical support to security forces in the region.
Despite these combined efforts, Somalia’s situation remains fragile. Terrorism, poverty, weak institutions, and environmental stressors continue to shape everyday life. The crisis is not solely a security issue; it is also a profound humanitarian emergency requiring sustained international attention. In the end, Somalia’s suffering cannot be reduced to a single factor such as religion. It is the product of political instability, prolonged violence, and entrenched economic hardship. What the country requires is consistent, coordinated international engagement. When human lives are at stake on this scale, the global community cannot afford indifference.
(The writer is a BS Political Science student at University of Karachi, has keen interest in national and international affairs. She can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
