Hargeisa (Horn post) Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) on Monday attended a state funeral held in Halleeya, eastern Hargeisa, for five members of the same family who died in a devastating house fire earlier this month.
The victims — a mother, her three daughters, and her sister — were killed when a fire engulfed their home in Hargeisa’s 150 Area at around 4:00 a.m. on January 5, 2026, in one of the deadliest residential fire incidents recorded in the capital in recent years.
President Iirro extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, and the wider Somaliland public, describing the tragedy as a national loss that deeply shook the conscience of the nation. He prayed for the victims to be granted heaven and for their family and the people of Somaliland to be given patience and strength.
In a show of solidarity, the President provided the affected family with financial assistance amounting to USD 25,000, while Hargeisa Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge contributed USD 10,000, and Fire Brigade Commander Sawaaxili added USD 5,000 to the condolence support.
The tragedy has reignited public debate over fire preparedness in Hargeisa, with residents and observers calling for expanded fire brigade infrastructure, including additional stations and firefighting vehicles across city neighborhoods. Critics note that existing fire brigade units are concentrated at district level, delaying emergency response times — a challenge made more severe during early morning incidents.
The incident has intensified calls for urgent investment in urban safety systems as Hargeisa continues to expand rapidly, with fire risk increasingly seen as a major public safety concern.
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Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
Hargeisa Somaliland
