Somalia

October 16, 2024, will not just be an ordinary day in Minneapolis. On this cool autumn morning, Aimee Bock finds herself stepping into the stark, echoing halls of the federal courthouse. Her visage is caught in the lens of Aaron Nesheim, forever etched into the chronicles of the Sahan Journal. She stands accused, not merely of wrongdoing but of masterminding perhaps the grandest deception perpetrated under the pandemic’s shadow. Imagine this: a federal jury assembled, a motley crew of America’s…

BOSASO, Somalia - In a striking turn of events, a vessel laden with military uniforms has been intercepted by the vigilant Northeastern State Devish Forces, raising eyebrows about its purpose. Was it, as officials suspect, intended for the elusive ISIS fighters who find themselves cornered in the rugged eastern terrain of Northeastern State? Joint efforts by the valiant Jubaland forces, alongside critical support from the US Africa Command and the military prowess of the United Arab Emirates, have gradually tightened the…

On Monday, President Donald Trump agreed to suspend for 30 days his looming tariff threats against Mexico and Canada. Why this sudden change of heart? It appears our two largest trading allies made significant efforts to tackle Trump's concerns over border security and drug-related issues, efforts that warranted a temporary reprieve. Consider this pause a cooling-off period after what could only be described as a tempestuous few days. North America found itself on the brink of a trade war—a situation brimming with the…

Mogadishu (AX) — A moment reminiscent of the intricate politics that ripple through Somalia played out on Monday, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reinstated Colonel Ibrahim Moalim Abdullahi. Abdullahi, the erstwhile intelligence chief of Mogadishu within the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), found his military rank and privileges restored. But what does this signify in the grand scheme of Somalia's tumultuous political landscape? Does this mark the dawn of a new era of reconciliatory politics, or is it…

Puntland Security: A Continuing Battle to Protect Stability In the early morning light that cloaked the busy port city of Bosaso, a new tale of vigilance emerged. The telephone wires buzzed with the news that Puntland's security forces had intercepted a singular vessel—a boat that, against all odds, carried not fishermen nor traders, but ominously, military uniforms and associated equipment. With every ripple of the sea, the implications lingered—where had this boat truly journeyed from? The Puntland…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the hushed hours of Monday night, an air of uncertainty enveloped the Bardhere district within Somalia's Gedo region. Jubbaland regional forces quietly slipped back into the district headquarters, reclaiming control after federal government troops departed under the veil of night. It’s a development that leaves one pondering: What really happened to prompt this calculated withdrawal? The reasons for the federal forces' exit stay shrouded in mystery, hinting at complex underlying tensions.…

In a setting as tranquil as an early Kenyan morning, an unexpected tremor of terror rippled across the vast stretches of Mandera County. Just as the rising sun cut through the morning mist, five government officials vanished, taken by the elusive hands of Al-Shabaab militants. The clock had barely ticked past dawn on Monday when the rugged paths leading from the small outpost of Wargadud to Elwak town witnessed this chilling event. Could anyone there have foreseen such an alarming start to the day? Julius Njeru, Mandera…

Nairobi (AX) – In a move demonstrating both urgency and tradition, the Kenyan government is gearing up to dispatch a group of Somali elders. Their mission? To negotiate the release of five local chiefs, who vanished on Monday near the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County. The abductions have sparked a sober realization—the intricate dance between diplomacy and danger that governs this troubled region. Why involve elders, you might wonder? They possess the nuanced understanding of local customs, an essential element for…

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a decisive manoeuvre, the Kenyan forces have initiated a sweeping security operation within the Marsabit and Isiolo counties. Their objective? To dismantle the intricate web of illicit activities orchestrated by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a group whose transgressions stir restlessness along the delicate boundary shared with Ethiopia. But what drives this fervor? Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, fervently posits, "It is not merely a cluster of border skirmishes; it is a profound…

In a tense region where borders are more than just imaginary lines on a map, Djibouti’s security forces recently launched a drone strike that ended with the deaths of eight individuals identified as members of a so-called terrorist organization. This operation, near the Ethiopian border, also resulted in injuries to an unspecified number of civilians. The news came to light on a quiet Sunday, stirring conversations far beyond Djibouti's borders. The defense ministry of Djibouti issued a statement explaining the operation:…