Two British rappers from Liverpool could face questioning by police after appearing in videos and photos showing them carrying weapons and parading with armed forces in north-eastern Somalia during a period of clan conflict, media reported.
The men, both British citizens from the Toxteth area of Liverpool, travelled to the Sanaag region earlier this year. Footage circulating on social media shows them wearing military-style clothing, holding assault rifles and addressing armed fighters during heightened tensions between rival clan-aligned forces.
The exact nature of their involvement remains unclear. UK officials have said that anyone who travels from Britain to conflict zones and engages in unlawful activity should expect to be investigated on their return.
Media reports indicate that one of the men is affiliated with the Warsangeli clan, which has been involved in disputes with rival groups in a region claimed by both Somaliland and Somalia’s autonomous Puntland administration. The area has long been affected by intermittent violence driven by clan rivalries, territorial claims and competition over resources.
Witnesses quoted by media said the two men were seen staying at a hotel in Badhan, where armed groups were gathering following meetings involving local clan leaders. According to one account, they were later observed leaving the hotel armed and joining larger groups of fighters, after which gunfire was heard nearby.
Videos filmed by local outlets show the men posing alongside armed personnel believed to be linked to Puntland forces, riding in military-style vehicles and making statements suggesting readiness for combat.
Analysts noted that conflicts in Somalia can sometimes draw in members of the diaspora, particularly where clan affiliations remain strong across borders. While fighting in the area has reportedly eased following mediation by elders, political disputes and underlying tensions persist.
Legal experts cited by media said prosecutions in such cases can be complex, depending on where individuals travelled, who they associated with and whether any proscribed organisations were involved. Even in the absence of charges, returnees may still face questioning by authorities.
The two men have not publicly commented on the allegations, and their last known location was outside Somalia.