Somalia hosts Turkish naval ships as offshore oil exploration nears launch

Somalia welcomes Turkish naval vessels as offshore oil exploration nears start MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s deputy defense minister, Omar Abdi Ali, alongside the Somali National Army chief, on Tuesday formally welcomed Turkish naval vessels to Mogadishu, officials said, marking a visible step in the country’s effort to strengthen maritime security as offshore oil exploration moves closer to execution. Port officials said one of the ships is an oil exploration and drilling vessel, accompanied by a security support ship. The…

Qatar’s Emir, Trump Discuss Steps to Ease Middle East Tensions

DOHA, Qatar — Qatar’s emir spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss de-escalation and regional security as tensions between Washington and Tehran sharpen, the royal court said Wednesday. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Trump reviewed “the current situation in the region and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and strengthening regional security and peace,” according to a statement from the emir’s office. The two leaders also discussed “supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving crises…

Somalia’s federal government schedules April 2026 state elections amid electoral talks

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Wednesday set April 2026 for state-level local council elections, a timetable that places the vote about a month before President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s current term ends and intensifies pressure on leaders to settle the country’s electoral rules. Elections slated for April 2026, weeks before President Mohamud’s term expires Voter registration to resume in Baidoa, Jowhar and Dhusamareb; 12 new districts added, bringing total to 35 Talks…

Turkey’s Erdogan ousts justice and interior ministers in cabinet shake-up

Erdogan replaces justice, interior ministers in surprise Cabinet reshuffle ANKARA, Turkey — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan carried out a surprise mini Cabinet reshuffle Wednesday, replacing Turkey’s justice and interior ministers as the country debates constitutional reforms and pursues a peace initiative with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, aimed at ending a decades-long conflict. The Official Gazette announced the changes late Wednesday, elevating two figures from the judiciary and provincial administration…

Pilot hailed after crash-landing malfunctioning Somali passenger plane on beach

All 55 survive after Somali passenger plane overruns runway, crash-lands on Mogadishu shoreline MOGADISHU, Somalia — An airliner carrying 55 people crash-landed on the shoreline beside Mogadishu’s international airport after overrunning the runway Tuesday, with all passengers and crew surviving, authorities and the carrier said. Starsky Aviation said a technical issue emerged shortly after the Fokker 50 turboprop departed Mogadishu for Puntland State. The crew requested an immediate return, but the aircraft failed to stop…

U.S. Senator voices concern over alleged UAE arms route to Sudan’s RSF via North Western State of Somalia

Hargeisa (AX) — The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voiced sharp concern over reports that a United Arab Emirates–linked training center has been established in Ethiopia for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, with potential supply routes running through North Western State of Somalia’s Port of Berbera. In a post on X on Tuesday, Sen. Jim Risch described the RSF as “genocidal RSF thugs” and warned that alleged training and transit activity tied to the UAE would be “escalatory and further reason to…

Somali Danab and Jubaland troops kill 14 al-Shabab militants in Lower Juba

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s elite Danab Special Forces, operating with Jubaland state security units, killed 14 al-Shabab fighters in a planned raid Tuesday in rural areas around Jamaame town in the country’s southern Lower Juba region, security officials said. One additional militant was wounded and several others fled as troops advanced during the coordinated operation, according to the officials. The joint force targeted suspected al-Shabab positions on the outskirts of Jamaame, a farming…

Sesko’s Late Goal Earns Manchester United a 1-1 Draw at West Ham

Premier League: Sesko’s 90+6 equalizer preserves Carrick’s unbeaten start as Tottenham sink deeper and Chelsea squander two-goal lead Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time flick rescued a 1-1 draw for Manchester United at West Ham and extended Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start, headlining a Premier League night that also saw Chelsea cough up a two-goal cushion against Leeds and Tottenham slide closer to the relegation fight with a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle. The late drama at the London Stadium kept United fourth, a point that felt…

Pilot hailed after beach emergency landing of malfunctioning Somali passenger jet

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali passenger plane made an emergency crash-landing on the shoreline beside Mogadishu’s international airport on Tuesday morning after a technical fault, with all 55 people on board surviving, according to airline Starsky Aviation and the country’s aviation regulator. Starsky Aviation said the pilot’s “swift and calm decision-making” helped save the 50 passengers and five crew after the aircraft, a Fokker 50, reported a problem shortly after takeoff from Aden Adde International Airport and requested…

Somalia again condemns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as illegal under international law

ANKARA — Somalia on Tuesday denounced Israel’s decision to recognize the breakaway North Western State of Somalia region, calling it a clear breach of international law and a fresh example of Tel Aviv’s disregard for global norms, according to the country’s justice minister. Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hassan Moallim Mohamud, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the “Türkiye-Africa Strategic Dialogue” program organized by the National Intelligence Academy (MİA) in Ankara, said Mogadishu would…