Somalia

LONDON, UK (Axadle Times) —  an ordinary journey taking a profound turn. At Newcastle International Airport, amidst the bustling travelers, a London man found himself at the heart of a legal storm over khat, a substance often cloaked in controversy.It's not every day that a simple trip lands one in headlines. For Ahmed Hirsi, aged 46, life took an unexpected twist after customs officers uncovered approximately £18,000 worth of khat concealed in his luggage. The discovery occurred on October 11, 2023, marking what should have…

Istanbul, Türkiye - A Story of Courage and Collaboration Friendship doesn’t always mean a smooth, conflict-free journey. In fact, it was hardly so on the evening of a seemingly routine Monday at the General Ihsan Alper Military Base in Isparta. Imagine this: 24 Somali soldiers, otherwise comrades in uniform, found themselves in a tense scuffle, the aftermath of a spirited football match. This left a deep imprint, not just in the physical injuries of two critically hurt soldiers but also in a broader story of military…

Engaging Diplomacy at the Cape: A Summit on Labor Conditions Edited By Ali MusaAxadle Times international–Monitoring Cape Town, South Africa (Horn Observer) – An air of anticipation surrounded a noteworthy event this past week as key stakeholders gathered in the vibrant city of Cape Town. Among them was Mr. Mohamed Ali Cibaar, Somalia's Commercial Affairs Attaché to the South African Embassy, who lent his presence and insights at a significant summit aimed at addressing labor…

Mogadishu (AX) – Amid the fragrant spices and bustling energy of Adale district, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently gathered with an ensemble of local leaders, wise elders, and esteemed intellectuals. This gathering on Friday wasn’t just a meeting; it was a concerted effort to weave tighter bonds of collaboration and intensify military actions against Al-Shabaab in the Middle Shabelle region. Imagine, for a moment, a land striving for peace—where communities are not just figures on a map, but vibrant…

Engaging with Elders in Adale: A Commitment to Peace In the heart of Somalia's Middle Shabelle region, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is not just meeting with local elders; he is weaving a tapestry of unity and resilience that aims to transform the landscape of Somalia's security challenges. As efforts ramp up against the formidable Al-Shabaab, labeled by the nation as a terror organization, these gatherings take on a deeper meaning, serving as more than just diplomatic exchanges. They become a battleground for…

The peaceful town of Baardheere, typically humming with life as citizens go about their day, experienced a disruption last Friday evening, one neither expected nor welcome. The stars were just beginning to poke through the sky as people gathered to break their fast during Ramadan, a time usually reserved for reflection and gratitude. But instead, the town found itself thrust into a scene of chaos when an alleged member of the notorious Al-Shabaab made his move. In situations like these, seconds stretch into…

A plane ascends gracefully into the sky, hovering momentarily over a road sign near London's bustling Heathrow Airport – a sight captured on June 5, 2018, by the lens of Kirsty Wigglesworth for the Associated Press. This picturesque scene now sharply contrasts with the unfolding chaos at the United Kingdom's premier airport. As of today, Heathrow has faced an unexpected yet formidable challenge: a complete shutdown that will last until midnight on Friday, owing to a crippling power outage. This disruption undoubtedly throws…

Mogadishu - In the somber hue of dawn on a Thursday morning, Mogadishu was stirred awake by the murmurs of an air offensive, one that would see at least 82 Al-Shabaab militants, including some of their senior orchestrators, meeting their end. The airstrikes came as a strategic counter-response to an earlier assault aimed at Somali army bases nestled within the Lower Shabelle region. These tactical airstrikes were not arbitrary, but rather a calculated maneuver targeting insurgent strongholds near the Sabiib and…

In a resolute effort to dismantle the networks of terror that cast a long shadow over central Somalia, the Somali National Army (SNA), in concert with the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), launched an intricate sequence of airstrikes. These operations, confirmed by government sources on Thursday, herald a significant step against Al-Shabaab militants and their allies. Imagine the precision required. The airstrikes were executed with the support of the Somali Air Force, amplified by the…

Somalia Elections - A Step Towards Empowerment "This is the first step in returning the power of choice to the Somali people," declared Hassan, with a sense of hope mingling with the cautious optimism that peppered the room. Looking back, it's intriguing how substantial this moment is. Somalia is poised on the brink of hosting its first direct vote for local councils since the central government disintegrated back in 1991. What a journey from clan-dominated politics to this pivotal milestone in democratic governance. The…