Somali music star Farhiya Fiska accuses husband of violent assault in Somaliland
locked in a room for hours and nearly killed during an incident in Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa.

Hargeisa (Somali Report) - Somali singer Farhiya Ahmed Adaawe Geedi, widely known as Farhiya Fiska, has accused her husband of physically assaulting her, saying she was beaten, locked in a room for hours and nearly killed during an incident in Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa.
Speaking publicly for the first time on Tuesday, Farhiya said her husband, Mubarak Ahmed Yusuf, known by his stage name “October,” attacked her and held her in a room for about four hours, during which she said she was tortured.
“What happened to me is not a small thing. I did not expect it,” Farhiya said. “There is no part of my body that is fine. He strangled me and wanted to take my life. My throat still hurts.”
She said Mubarak was arrested following the incident but was later released on bail. Farhiya said she plans to pursue the case in court and that legal proceedings are ongoing.
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In an emotional appeal directed at Somaliland authorities and the public, Farhiya said she had spent more than 25 years serving Somali community through her music and cultural work.
“I am now asking for my rights and for justice to be served,” she said, fighting back tears. “No one is above the law,” she said. “Everyone responsible must be held to account.”
The couple married in 2022. Farhiya is a divorcee, and her previous marriages reportedly included relationships with other Somali musicians. In past remarks shared on social media, Mubarak October said he had been married seven times and described Farhiya as his seventh wife.
Farhiya Fiska, a prominent figure in Somali music, is originally from Somalia and currently resides in the United Kingdom. Her songs have made her one of the most recognizable voices in Somali popular culture.
Mubarak October has not publicly responded to the allegations. Somaliland authorities have not issued an official statement on the case, which remains before the courts.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.
