Somalia

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…

Northeastern State Ups the Ante Against ISIS After Strategic Gains BOSASO, Somalia - In a determined stride against terror, Northeastern State is poised to escalate its offensive against IS-Somalia, with a new focus on dismantling networks of support for the insurgents. Regional leader Said Abdullahi Deni was candid about this strategy in a recent statement, while applauding the valorous efforts of the military units currently locking horns with the militants. President Deni, invigorating the momentum of Operation…

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…

MOGADISHU, Feb 1 - This week, Somali President Hassan Sheikh extended warm felicitations to Syria's newly-appointed leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, as he embarked on his leadership during an evocative phase of transition. Announcements from the Somali presidential office on Friday captured this significant exchange. In his formal communique, President Hassan Sheikh conveyed sincere hopes for Al-Sharaa's successful tenure, underscoring his desire for guidance that transcends mere political agility. "Leadership in turbulent…

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…

Experts suggest Donald Trump's Afghan refugee policies may herald a stringent stance on immigration Washington, DC – It was a rainy September morning in 2023 when Ruqia Balkhi first set foot in the United States. After a journey fraught with uncertainty, she was welcomed by a federally funded resettlement agency, one that would become her lifeline in this foreign land. At 55, Balkhi, an accomplished engineer, was amidst a cohort of Afghans who had stood shoulder to shoulder with US military forces during their prolonged…

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…

Somali President on U.S. Commitment in Fight Against al-Shabab Why should the United States maintain its involvement in the complex struggle against al-Shabab? To answer this question requires an understanding of Somalia's geopolitical realities, economic imperatives, and, perhaps, a dose of human empathy. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, a stalwart leader with unmistakable resolve, finds himself at the helm of a nation riddled with challenges. Al-Shabab, an insidious al-Qaeda affiliate, lurks…

Drone Incident Raises Alarm at Mogadishu's Presidential Palace Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) — The air around Mogadishu's Presidential Palace was fraught with tension late Friday night as the Somali Presidential Guard responded swiftly to an unexpected intrusion. Drones, mysterious in both origin and purpose, loomed ominously in the night sky above this heavily fortified area, their silent flight eventually met with the staccato of gunfire. What triggered this unexpected confrontation? Was…