West Africa

In a compelling scene painted with tension and valor, Somali security forces made a significant arrest on a sun-drenched Saturday in Harardhere. The haunting silhouette of a bustling town along the Mudug region’s trade artery was disrupted by the capture of a suspect, a man bearing explosives hidden in thermos flasks. Who could have anticipated such malevolence concealed in the most unsuspecting of vessels? These weren’t mere containers of hot drinks; they were brimming with the potential for chaos and destruction. Within…

In an unexpected, yet decisive, military maneuver, the United States launched airstrikes over the weekend targeting key operatives of the Islamic State in Somalia. President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged ordering the strikes, which reportedly targeted a high-ranking strategist within the extremist group. In a quite vivid expression on Truth Social, Trump declared, "These killers, whom we discovered hiding deep within their shadowy mountain refuges, posed a grave threat to both the United States and our…

Hargeisa (AX) — In a recent drama unfolding in North Western State of Somalia, the government has pulled the plug on the operating license of a pivotal livestock inspection facility in Berbera. The decision, fueled by allegations against its Arab proprietor, Abu Yaasir, claims he inked an unsanctioned pact with the Somali federal government. It’s a maneuver perceived as jeopardizing the lifeline of North Western State of Somalia's thriving livestock export sector. Does one ever pause to reflect on how a single decision can…

Recently, while seated in a sun-dappled room in Mogadishu, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia spoke with a quiet intensity that comes from years spent grappling with the formidable al-Shabab insurgency. At 69, Mohamud stands at the helm during a turbulent period, his tenure marked by a relentless fight against one of the world's most dangerous terror groups. The question on everyone's mind: how can the United States, a distant though powerful ally, continue to play a crucial role in this struggle? Mohamud's…

Northeastern State’s Expulsion Efforts: An Insightful Discourse Garowe (AX) — Amidst swirling controversies and brimming debates, Northeastern State's Minister of Interior, Abdi Farah Said Juha, took the stage this Saturday to elucidate the recent contentious deportations of undocumented foreigners. Lest misconceptions breed further discord, he sought to dispel any notion that these actions targeted the Oromo ethnic group—a claim echoing like a disgraced refrain through various channels. Addressing the…

Baidoa (AX) – In a region often clouded by uncertainty and conflict, a significant gathering took place on Saturday within the heart of the Southwest state. Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the president of the Southwest regional state, orchestrated a security council meeting in Baidoa. The primary focus? Crafting strategies as intricate as a game of chess to bolster regional security and confront the ever-present menace of Al-Shabaab militants. Picture a room filled with anticipation and determination as the council…

In the picturesque yet turbulent city of Garowe, a swirling blend of tradition and modernity, a significant decree has been issued by Northeastern State's regional authorities. This directive, steeped in both strategy and caution, aims to sever all media communications with the notorious Islamic State (ISIS) faction. It's part of a meticulous military campaign focused on obliterating ISIS hideouts nestled in the rugged Al-Miskat mountains of the Bari region. But what does this mean for press freedom, and how should we…

Beledweyne, a city marked by arid landscapes and relentless spirits, was recently the backdrop to a passionate proclamation by Ali Jeyte Osman. As the specially appointed Somali President’s Envoy for Community Defense Forces, Osman delivered a message filled with both resolve and urgency on a bright Saturday morning. Who would have imagined that this land, far removed from global power plays, would become ground zero for a microcosmic battle against a menacing force? Over the past week, amidst the rugged terrains of the…

Year 2024: a monumental chapter etched into Somalia’s modern tapestry—a year where sovereignty hung delicately by a thread. As fireworks painted the sky on New Year’s Day, Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia clandestinely inked a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement, granting Ethiopia access to a 19-kilometer stretch of North Western State of Somalia’s coast, bypassed Somalia’s federal heartbeat. Was this a simple diplomatic maneuver, or a disruptive gambit? Ethiopia, in a tantalizing exchange, hinted at…

In the dimly lit remnants of a world that seems to have long forgotten compassion, Libyan authorities have stepped forward as unexpected custodians of hope. They rescued 263 African migrants, ensnared in the sullied nets of human traffickers within the Ajkhara district—a name that whispers of anguish and survival. Among the rescued throng are individuals from nations such as Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, stripped of the most basic human dignities, their bodies marred by signs of severe malnutrition and abuse. The tales…