Southern Somalia

Southern Somalia occupies about a third of Somalia's territory, and is home to most of the fighting in the civil war.

Regions

Gedo

Koofur Orsi Although it was the center of the civil war during the 1990s and 2000s decade, as of the 2020s it has become safe. Koofur Orsi is notable for the richness and fertility of its land.

Cities

• 1 Baardheere —
• 2 Baidoa — capital of Bay region
• 3 Beledweyne —
• 4 Baraawe — capital of Koofur Orsi state
• 5 Kismayo —
• 6 Merca — capital of Lower Shabelle region and port
• 7 Mogadishu — capital city and port
• 8 Xuddur — capital of Bakool region
• 9 Dinsoor —

Other destinations

Ruins of a citadel in Gondershe.

• 1 Bajuni Islands — turquoise waters, coral reefs, historic ruins, mostly deserted
• 2 Lag Badana National Park — lions and beaches
• 3 Gondershe — small town with an impressive collection of historical structures

Get in

Aden Abdulle International Airport (MGQ ^IATA, formerly Mogadishu International Airport), a few kilometers southwest of the center of Mogadishu.

See

Many of the beaches of Koofur Orsi along the Somali Sea coast remain untouched.

Stay safe

Al Shabab, an Islamic terrorist group, rules much of Southern Somalia. The Southern Region of Somalia is regarded as the most dangerous region in the country. See the warning on the Somalia article for more information.