Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - Word on the street is that infamous pirates have staged a comeback in Somalia's treacherous waters. This follows a calm period of five months during which security forces actively tried to put a lid on pirate activities. This week, EUNAVFOR — those naval protectors under Operation ATALANTA — have sounded the alarm. They've spotted a sketchy bunch known as a pirate action group (PAG) sneaking away from Somalia’s north-central shoreline. The alert hints that pirates might be sweeping back into Somali…

Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Lands in Mogadishu: Special Reception for Oil Research Ship MOGADISHU - With a watchful eye on new horizons, Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Musa Heybet touched down in the buzzing hub of Somalia's capital. His arrival heralds the imminent docking of an oil exploration vessel, primed to set sail into the depths of the Indian Ocean for seismic surveys. This vessel, recently launched from Turkey under the watchful command of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is on a dual mission: to map…

MOGADISHU, Oct 24 (Reuters) - In an effort to track al Shabaab militants and provide residents with a sense of security, thousands of surveillance cameras have been installed throughout Somalia's bustling capital. However, this initiative has also sparked fear among business proprietors who dread retaliatory violence. Launched this year under the city government's directive, CCTV systems have, according to officials, bolstered the ability of law enforcement to monitor militant movements in Mogadishu while ensuring…

Somalia Blasts Attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a fervent denouncement, Somalia shunned the dastardly act of terror that scarred Turkey on Wednesday. As global efforts gear toward disarming conflict and bolstering peace, this violent episode stood as a stark and unnecessary anomaly. Turkey, a stalwart in international peacekeeping, particularly drew Somalia's dismay. Somalia's helm, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, expressed profound disquiet over the calamity. With empathy, he hoped for the…

PM Hamza's Dubiously Formulated National Transformation Plan for Somalia: Heading Toward Disaster Opinion - In the tail end of May, the Office of the Prime Minister sprang forth with a National Transformation Plan (NTP), a grand vision aiming to reshape Somalia’s path toward wealth and resilience. The plan sports an ambitious agenda: invigorating the Private Sector via Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), enhancing government performance, and overhauling the economy. It touts itself as a departure from old-school development…

Families uprooted by crop failures are seeking sanctuary in makeshift camps on the fringes of Baidoa. A harsh drought in Southwest Somalia has compelled over 120 families to forsake their farms and way of life, enduring severe conditions in rudimentary shelters. Image: Radio Ergo Mogadishu (AX) — Jinay Isaaq Hassan spent her days in the quaint village of Mintaanyo, diligently working her six-hectare farm while raising her children. However, her life took a drastic turn earlier this year. The life-giving rains failed to…

Mogadishu (AX) — An official entourage from Turkey, spearheaded by Deputy Defence Minister Musa Heybet, touched down in Mogadishu on Thursday. Their mission? To oversee the arrival of a Turkish ship geared up for seismic investigations aimed at oil and natural gas reconnaissance along Somalia's coastline.Greeting them at the airport was the Somali Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Abdirisaq Omar Mohamed, flanked by other high-ranking officials. Adding to the throng was Fathudin Ospite, the Somali Ambassador to Turkey,…

Somalia: Troops Face Trial for Fleeing Battle Against Al-Shabaab MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a recent turn of events, the Somali government is taking action against a group of soldiers and a police commander. They're accused of leaving their posts in the ongoing battle against the militant group Al-Shabaab, supposedly without getting the okay from their field leaders who are overseeing operations against the insurgents. The charges have been officially lodged in a military court, which holds the authority to tackle such cases…

Somalia Makes Bold Move to Exclude Ethiopian Forces from New AU Peace Initiative MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a development brimming with geopolitical intrigue, Somalia has officially petitioned the African Union (AU) and the United Nations for the exclusion of Ethiopian military personnel from a restructured peacekeeping force. This initiative aims to tackle insurgents tied to al-Qaeda, notably the notorious group al-Shabaab. This decision, unveiled through a foreign affairs ministry communique, follows a period of fraught…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali government announced Thursday that its esteemed Danab Commando Force successfully executed a strategic operation in the Galgadud region, taking down a dozen al-Shabab militants and injuring 12 more. This meticulously planned strike occurred in the Gerile area within the Eldher district, a known hideout for fighters plotting their next moves, as they lurked, "fangs sharpened," ready to strike. The government's statement triumphantly noted, "Twelve insurgents met their end, while 22 others…