Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia - February 10, 2025: A Harrowing Tale of Journalistic Courage Imagine, if you will, the dim recesses of a detention cell and the stifling air where words of bravery are forged. That is where this story begins. On the morning of February 9, 2025, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) breathed a sigh of relief—akin to fresh air through a dusty window—upon learning that journalist Sharif Abdi and his compatriot Omar Yusuf Mohamed, affectionately called…

Garowe (AX) – In the heart of Northeastern State, religious leaders are raising a resonant call for unity among communities, urging them to rally behind the military efforts against ISIS insurgents entrenched in the rugged Al-Miskaat Mountains of the Bari region. The clerics passionately advocate for both financial and moral backing to fortify the Northeastern State of Somalia Army's resolve and bolster their strength against an elusive adversary. Reflecting on a recent sermon, Sheikh Mohamud Haji Yusuf spoke fervently…

Mogadishu—In a fervent declaration of hope and determination, Somali Lower House Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe articulated a vision this Monday. The vision was for a Somalia where every voice counts—a nation transitioning to an electoral system where one person equals one vote. Imagine a democratic renaissance, where each Somali citizen can directly elect their leaders; it's not just reform—it’s a transformation of a nation's soul. Isn’t it time for such a progression? During a spirited gathering in…

BOSASO, Somalia - In a daring and complex operation, the Northeastern State Defense Forces have taken decisive action against ISIS, culminating in the death of a Tunisian fighter alongside two Somali insurgents. This event marks a pivotal stride in eradicating the terrorist presence in northern Somalia. Why focus on Northeastern State, you might wonder? This region has become a battleground for a formidable campaign against violent extremism, particularly the ISIS militants who have been sharpening their claws in Somali…

Binti Ali Wardhere’s story begins with a quiet loss: irreparable, yet all too common amid Mogadishu’s wartime tumult. The tragedies she faced on an otherwise unremarkable October day in 1993 echo through her every thought, a reminder of the events tied to the notorious moniker "Black Hawk Down." Surprisingly, this phrase—popularized by a Hollywood blockbuster—synonymizes with the infamous 1993 U.S. military catastrophe in Somalia. On October 3rd, eighteen American soldiers perished, accompanied by the anguished…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - On a typical Sunday in Mogadishu, the Somali government found itself embroiled in a diplomatic quandary, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel put forth a controversial notion. Imagine the audacity: proposing the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia. Could such a suggestion be anything but a "flagrant breach of international law?" Chances are, Somalia wouldn’t think so. In a decisive rebuke, the Foreign Ministry of Somalia issued a statement that carried the weight of an…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia stands on a precarious precipice, fighting to reclaim its lands from the grip of terror. With the resolute intent of ridding the nation of extremists, the federal government is zeroing in on the financial underpinnings of these merciless factions. Can Somalia finally pull itself away from the shadows of strife that have lingered for over twenty years? In the rugged and often unforgiving terrain of the Horn of Africa, Somalia has tirelessly fought the malignancies of Al-Shabaab and the escalating…

Beledweyne (AX) – In the often tumultuous chessboard of Somalia, where tactics and survival mingle intricately, the ebb and flow of conflict has confounded yet again. Al-Shabaab militants, those elusive insurgents with their unslakable thirst for turmoil, have found a new haunt—nestled by the murmuring banks of the Shabelle River in the Mahaday district, they plan their next move. Local inhabitants mutter about seeing swarms of militants sweeping into the area, battered from recent fierce skirmishes in Hiiraan. It’s as if…

CAIRO, Egypt - With a backdrop of intense dialogues and strategic diplomacy, Egypt has announced a decision that may play a crucial role in shaping the future of Somalia. After extensive consultations with Somalia's federal government, Egypt is preparing to deploy military forces to Somalia, a move that seeks to bolster stability in a region plagued by conflict and discord. Walking a tightrope between support and skepticism, Egypt insists its mission contributes to regional peacekeeping. But why does Egypt risk discord…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the complex tapestry of international diplomacy, words can weigh heavily, sometimes stirring ripples across distant shores. Recently, an assertion by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has done just that, leaving political waves in its wake. Netanyahu mused about potentially creating a Palestinian state within Saudi territory—a notion that was not met with silence or acquiescence but with a firm reprimand from the Somali government. For those familiar with diplomatic exchanges, was this…