Toby MannTuesday May 26, 2026 A US-AF F-35 Lightning II fighter jet pictured in April 2026 The United States said it carried out fresh strikes in southern Iran, hitting missile positions and boats it said were trying to lay mines, in the latest sign that tensions remain high despite talk of a ceasefire. US Central Command said the operation was conducted in "self-defense" and aimed "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces". Capt Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson, said the military "continues to…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Dabbasa Dambi and Gurracha Dambala Addis Abeba – Two Borana elders from Kenya’s Marsabit County, held for nearly two weeks on suspicion of ties to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), have been freed after a court accepted a property bail totaling 14 million Kenyan shillings, or about 17.3 million Ethiopian Birr, their defense lawyer told Addis Standard. The men — Dabbasa Dambi, a former administrator of Gololle village, and Gurracha Dambala, a respected elder from Sololo — walked out of custody yesterday…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Supreme Court has upheld the results of Southwest State’s House of Representatives election, endorsing the figures released by the electoral commission after reviewing complaints and supporting documents tied to the vote. In a ruling issued Monday, the court said it had considered objections to the electoral process, written submissions and reports from the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission before determining that the outcome was consistent with Somali…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s attorney general said Monday that detained bajaj driver and activist Sadia Moallim Ali Hassan will soon appear in court, declaring that her case has now moved into the final phase of investigation and prosecution. Attorney General Suleyman Mohamed Mahmoud said the proceedings have followed legal procedures and dismissed criticism of the justice system as misinformation. He said Ali was taken into custody on April 21 and presented before a court within 48 hours, in line with…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia has stepped up its public health defenses and finalized a national Ebola prevention plan as reports of the virus emerge in parts of Africa, officials said Monday. The Ministry of Health said Somalia has not confirmed a single Ebola case. Still, authorities have tightened readiness, citing the steady flow of travelers and flights from nearby countries, particularly Uganda and Kenya. “The Ministry of Health confirms that no case of Ebola has been registered in the country so far.…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab on Monday accused Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni of stoking unrest and political violence in the capital, saying authorities would not allow any attempt to undermine security, traffic, or everyday life in the city. Addressing a public event in Mogadishu, Muungaab said residents are entitled to their political views under the constitution, but stressed that demonstrations and political activity must not put public safety…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — In a meeting that underscored the enduring power of words in Somali public life, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday sat down with leading Somali poets and literary figures to discuss how arts and literature can help deepen public awareness, support state-building and reinforce national identity. Mohamud used the occasion to commend Somali poets for what he described as decades of service in defending national unity, safeguarding cultural heritage and delivering messages that…

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Monday that efforts to halt the war between the United States and Iran are advancing, insisting that “things are moving in the right direction.” Speaking before his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, Sharif said Islamabad’s push to broker a negotiated settlement between the two sides had already made headway and that “things are moving in the right direction.” In footage broadcast by state-run Pakistan TV, he said Pakistan had played a “sincere role to mediate…

Monday May 25, 2026 Las Anod (AX) — Police in Somalia’s Northeastern State moved quickly on Sunday, arresting five suspects and launching a search for a sixth person in connection with the rape of a woman in Las Anod. Sool regional police said the assault occurred on May 23, 2026. After the case was reported, officers carried out a follow-up operation that led to the detention of the five suspects. Police said the victim is a woman from Northeastern Somalia. They did not release her name, in line with standard practice in…

Monday May 25, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s intelligence service said at least five al-Shabab militants were killed in a carefully planned operation in Hiiraan region, where the group had reportedly gathered to prepare attacks. The National Intelligence and Security Agency said Sunday that the raid took place in the Tardo area, carried out alongside international partners after intelligence showed about 25 al-Shabab members, including fighters and officers, had convened there. NISA said the group was preparing activities…