A Facebook post with a 12-second video claims to show F-16 fighter jets flying over Buurhakaba, a town in the Bay region of Somalia, on October 15, 2026. The post, which has been viewed by many, was accompanied by the caption, "Hawada Buurhakaba iyo Diiyaradaha F-16." The video shows three fighter jets flying close together in the upper atmosphere. The post emerged on the same day that forces loyal to former South West State President Abdicasiis Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) took control of Buurhakaba from federal and regional forces.
Laftagareen had announced his resignation in March 2026, after weeks of political and security pressure from the federal government. However, some parts of South West State remain loyal to him, and he later claimed to be the legitimate leader of the region. The video sparked interest and raised questions about the presence of F-16 fighter jets in the region. To verify the authenticity of the video, PesaCheck conducted a reverse image search using Google.
The search revealed a similar video published on September 3, 2026, by Garowe Online, which claimed to show Turkish F-16 fighter jets arriving in Somalia amid clashes in Baidoa. However, it could not be confirmed if the jets carried out airstrikes or targeted specific objectives. In July 2026, Turkish F-16 fighter jets carried out airstrikes against Al Shabaab militants, killing 35 fighters, according to the Somali Ministry of Defense.
Some local politicians and media outlets claimed that Turkish F-16 fighter jets carried out airstrikes and low-altitude flights in the vicinity of Baidoa over the past few months, amid clashes between forces loyal to Laftagareen and federal and regional forces. PesaCheck investigated the Facebook post and video, which claimed to show F-16 fighter jets flying over Buurhakaba, and found it to be false.
PesaCheck is part of a network of fact-checking organizations that work with Facebook and other social media platforms to help separate fact from fiction. The organization aims to provide the public with accurate and in-depth information about potentially misleading content on social media. Users can report suspicious content to Facebook using a specific feature.
The fact-checking process involves verifying information through various means, including reverse image searches and consultations with experts. PesaCheck's work helps to combat misinformation and promote accurate information on social media. Hassan Istiila wrote the fact-checking report, which was edited by Mary Mutisya and Stephen Ndegwa.
The report was approved for publication by Doreen Wainainah. PesaCheck's efforts aim to promote media literacy and critical thinking among social media users, enabling them to make informed decisions about the information they consume online. By verifying the authenticity of viral content, PesaCheck helps to maintain the integrity of online information.
Key points
- The viral Facebook post claiming to show F-16 fighter jets flying over Buurhakaba, Somalia, on October 15, 2026, is false.
- Turkish F-16 fighter jets carried out airstrikes against Al Shabaab militants in July 2026, killing 35 fighters.
- PesaCheck's fact-checking process involves verifying information through various means, including reverse image searches and consultations with experts.
