Authorities said there were no reports of deaths or injuries, but residents described a dramatic and frightening event, with the ground shaking and a column of smoke rising far above the desert basin.

The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported ash clouds reaching an altitude of about 14 kilometres and drifting across the Red Sea. Plumes were later detected moving towards Yemen and Oman, and further towards India and northern Pakistan.

Locals on the ground spoke of panic as the eruption began without warning. 

Ahmed Abdela, who lives in Afdera, said the explosion “felt like a sudden bomb had been thrown," leaving families running from their homes.

The region attracts visitors heading to the Danakil desert, known for its salt flats and volcanic landscapes. Travel was brought to a standstill, with stranded tourists unable to move through ash-covered roads.

Officials warned that, although human lives were spared, the consequences for pastoral communities could be severe. Local administrator Mohammed Seid said ashfall had smothered grazing land vital for livestock.

“Our animals now have little to eat,” he said, noting fears that herds may perish if conditions do not improve quickly. Most residents rely almost entirely on livestock for income and food.

The volcano stands roughly 500 metres above sea level within the East African Rift Valley, an area shaped by the slow separation of tectonic plates and frequent seismic activity.

According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Hayli Gubbi has no recorded eruptions during the Holocene – the geological epoch that began around 12,000 years ago – making Sunday’s event the first known in human history .

Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama has underscored the critical role of communities in tackling climate change and improving disaster preparedness. Speaking at the Second Somali Disaster Resilience Conference in Mogadishu , Jama emphasised that local participation is essential to reducing vulnerability to floods, droughts, and other natural disasters that have devastated livelihoods across the country. The conference brought together policymakers, humanitarian agencies, and climate experts to develop sustainable frameworks for resilience-building. The deputy prime minister urged all stakeholders to “empower communities to take ownership of the solutions,” adding that resilience cannot be built solely through top-down approaches.

Militants in Bakool region operation

The Somali National Army (SNA) carried out a major offensive near Hudur, in the Bakool region, killing at least ten al-Shabaab militants and seizing a cache of weapons. Military officials described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent networks and secure liberated territories. The Ministry of Defence said the army’s campaign will continue until “every terrorist base is eliminated” in Bakool and neighbouring regions.

Lawmakers absenteeism

Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament has warned lawmakers against absenteeism after several legislative sessions were cancelled due to a lack of quorum. The leadership expressed frustration that critical national issues, including bills on security and economic reform, could not be discussed because many MPs failed to attend sittings.In a statement , the Speaker reminded members of their constitutional duty to represent their constituencies effectively. Lawmakers have been warned that persistent absenteeism could lead to disciplinary measures. The development has sparked public debate about parliamentary accountability and efficiency in governance.

Three brothers killed in clan-related attack

Authorities in the Lower Shabelle region are investigating a deadly clan-related attack that left three brothers dead and several others injured. The victims were reportedly ambushed by rival clans amid growing tensions over grazing land and water resources, long-standing triggers of local conflict in rural Somalia. Community elders have called for calm and urged the government to intervene to prevent retaliatory violence. Security officials say additional patrols have been deployed to the area as reconciliation efforts begin.

Bilateral cooperation

Somalia’s Police Chief has held talks with Iraq’s Interior Minister to strengthen bilateral cooperation on security, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism. The meeting , which took place in Baghdad, explored ways to improve police training, equipment, and strategic collaboration against transnational crime. Both sides agreed to establish a framework for information exchange and capacity building. The visit reflects Somalia’s broader diplomatic efforts to enhance its security institutions through international partnerships.