UN Report: 1,500 Somalis Casualties from Explosive Devices in 2023

Over the past year, more than 1,500 civilians in Somalia were either killed or injured by 600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as revealed in a recent UN report.In a statement late Thursday, James Swan, UN Secretary-General's Acting Special Representative for Somalia, underscored the severe threat IEDs pose to Somalia as it strides toward self-reliance and sustainable national security."The gravity of this threat isn't lost on any of us. Our primary goal is to safeguard your comrades in the Somali National Army (SNA).…

Egypt Commits to Military Assistance for Somalia and Addressing Regional Threats

CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt recently vowed to ramp up military aid to Somalia, aiming to reinforce stability and counteract regional turmoil. This pledge was revealed by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a powwow with the U.S. envoy to the Horn of Africa. This commitment underscores Egypt's strategic pivot towards the Horn of Africa, a hub vital for maritime security and anti-terrorism efforts. Abdelatty stressed that Egypt's assistance will prioritize fortifying Somalia's central administration, safeguarding its sovereignty,…

Top Hezbollah Leaders Among 31 Killed in Israeli Attack on Beirut

Folks wander through the wreckage of an Israeli airstrike in a bustling southern district of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 20, 2024 (Reuters/Mohamed Azakir)On Saturday, Hezbollah found itself staggered by an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the loss of two high-ranking members and numerous civilians, deepening apprehensions about a potential full-blown conflict in the Middle East.Hezbollah announced that Ibrahim Akil, a pivotal figure in forming the elite Radwan Force, and Ahmed Wahbi, the mastermind behind Hezbollah’s…

Northeastern State Alerts to Somalia’s Potential Downfall Under Present Leadership, Points Out Breaches of Constitution

AXADLE, Somalia — Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, the Vice President of Northeastern State, has issued a sobering alert about Somalia's trajectory, deeming President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his administration as "the most perilous faction in politics." During a poignant address in Garowe—Northeastern State's capital—Lugatoor expressed dire concerns about Somalia's potential downfall under the existing leadership, citing constitutional violations as the crux of the issue. These violations, he argued, undermine the foundational

Top 6 Cardio Workouts for Sustaining Weight Loss

Cardio training should be an important part of any effective training routine. First, it's super important for your overall well-being; cardiovascular exercise is linked to all kinds of benefits for your brain health, heart health, cholesterol and mood. Second, it helps you maintain great and consistent progress in your weight loss journey. (After all, cardio helps you burn calories and fat without exhausting your muscles as much as a typical strength session!) To help upgrade your cardio…

World Bank Greenlights $90 Million to Enhance Djibouti-Ethiopia Trade Route

D'you hear the news? Djibouti City (AX) — The World Bank is coughing up another $90 million to beef up the Djibouti Regional Economic Corridor, a massive infrastructure project intended to improve regional connectivity and trade throughout the Horn of Africa.This fresh capital injection totals the project's financing to a hefty $160 million, building on an initial $70 million greenlighted back in December 2021.The coin will go toward revamping and maintaining three segments of the Djibouti-Addis Southern Corridor, a vital…

LISTEN: Somalia Navigating Through Regional Strains

    This week's episode of The Horn features an intriguing discussion as Alan sits down with Omar Mahmood, the senior analyst for Eastern Africa at Crisis Group, to delve into the growing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, the new Egypt-Somalia defense agreement, and the outlook for peacekeeping missions in Somalia. Kicking off the fresh season of The Horn, Alan converses with Omar Mahmood about the complex web of regional frictions involving Somalia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. They're set to examine the uncertain future of…

Somali and Jubbaland Forces Decimate al-Shabaab Havens in Lower Jubba

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali National Army (SNA), along with Jubbaland State's Darawish troops, has ramped up its offensive against Al-Shabaab insurgents in Lower Jubba. This week's mission aims to uproot key militant strongholds around Bulo Haji. The effort zeroes in on the thick scrublands of Lagta Anole, where military leaders report that numerous Al-Shabaab hideouts have been obliterated. Jubbaland Darawish Commander Ismail Sahardid announced that Somali and Jubbaland forces have significantly pushed back the militants.…

Somalia Denounces Illicit Weapon Shipment from Ethiopia to Northeastern State

The Somali government has issued a vehement denunciation concerning the unapproved importation of arms and ammunition from Ethiopia into the Northeastern State region of Somalia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation labeled this act as a “grave infringement” on Somalia’s sovereignty and a notable danger to both national and regional security. “We have irrefutable proof of two trucks delivering weapons from Ethiopia to Northeastern State without any official diplomatic protocol or authorization,” the…

Top Hezbollah commander among 12 killed in Israeli strike on Beirut

Lebanon's Hezbollah group has confirmed that its top military commander Ibrahim Aqil was killed, calling him "one of its top leaders", without providing further details on his killing. The Israeli military, and a security source in Lebanon, said Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut targeting an elite Hezbollah unit in the airstrike, sharply escalating the year-long conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group. In a brief statement carried by Israeli media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said…