Wednesday June 18, 2025
Tehran (HOL) – Somali nationals living in Iran have
expressed growing concern over the intensifying conflict between Iran and
Israel, with some considering whether to flee the country amid increasing
insecurity.
Ahmed Mahmoud Abdi, a Somali businessman residing in Iran,
told BBC Somali that visible changes have occurred in daily life due to the
continued Israeli airstrikes.
“People are war-weary. Unlike other countries where people
may flee immediately, here people are staying put, but you can still sense the
tension. There's a noticeable shift in certain areas,” said Ahmed.
He described a worsening atmosphere across the country,
marked by fear and reduced public movement. According to Ahmed, the recent
Israeli airstrikes have hit civilian buildings, hospitals, and government
facilities.
The Somali community in Iran is small—estimated to number
only a dozen people, including students and entrepreneurs. Ahmed confirmed that
a Somali medical student at Tehran University was injured during one of the
Israeli strikes.
“He was hit in the head but is in stable condition. I was
told he planned to travel to Azerbaijan, though his situation remains
uncertain,” Ahmed added.
He said that the Somali community in Iran convened a meeting
earlier today to assess whether to remain in the country or seek safety
elsewhere, given fears that the conflict may escalate further.
Israel has defended its ongoing offensive as a necessary
measure to halt Iran’s progress toward nuclear capability. According to
official reports, at least 224 people have been killed in Iran as a result of
Israeli strikes.
In response, Iran has launched around 400 missiles and
hundreds of drones toward Israel, killing at least 24 people. The regional
conflict unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli military operations in
Gaza, where near-daily shootings continue in areas where civilians queue for
food assistance.