Somalia

ASMARA, Eritrea - Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea have joined forces, stirring up the already bubbling pot of regional tensions, especially with Ethiopia. The diplomatic shake-up unfolded at a summit in Asmara, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki gathered to map out strategic cooperation. This alliance emerges against the backdrop of Ethiopia making waves with its contentious deal with North Western State of Somalia, aiming for a slice…

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya Airways, the country's national airline, has put a halt on flights to Somalia, citing 'operational challenges.' This move adds another layer to the complex travel landscape in the Horn of Africa. Kenya Airways is one of the key players on the Mogadishu route. The stoppage comes amidst tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, regarding a deal with North Western State of Somalia about sea access. Ethiopia’s airline also operates the Mogadishu route. The airline shared that following a thorough assessment…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Egyptian leader, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is gearing up for a visit to Asmara, Eritrea, come Thursday, where he's scheduled for a three-party pow-wow with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This top-tier sit-down aims to bolster security partnerships and tackle mutual hurdles in the Horn of Africa and the bustling Red Sea zone. A big-ticket item on the agenda is the creation of a tri-nation coalition to navigate common challenges, with a spotlight on Ethiopia's…

In a grand setting, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stepped up to address the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on a bustling Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (AP Photo by Richard Drew) - AP Photo/Richard DrewWith considerable spotlight, President Erdogan participated in the send-off ceremony for Turkey’s energy research vessel, Oruc Reis. This month, the ship departed towards the Somali waters, bolstered by two Turkish naval ships.Somali Energy AccordThe Oruc Reis deployment emerges from an energy…

Presently in North Darfur, particularly around El Fasher, about 2.8 million souls are cornered with scant chances of retreat or aid, stated a collection of humanitarian bodies in Sudan. A staggering 500,000 refugees at Zamzam camp near El Fasher are battling severe hunger. Humanitarian workers cite distressing scenes in El Fasher, where children are grappling with unthinkable horrors impacting their well-being. Some kids, boys and girls alike, find themselves resorting to desperate measures like joining combatants or even…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Just a couple of years back, before he snagged a second term, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was one of the loudest voices railing against tampering with the constitution, frequently slamming his forerunner, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, for allegedly scheming to prolong his stay in office. The uproar was intense, sparking protests nationwide from all corners—civilians, opposition figures, and even military personnel, some of whom went as far as to revolt. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as Farmajo, was…

ADDIS ABABA - The head honcho of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal General Birhanu Jula, contends that standing toe-to-toe with Ethiopia is beyond Somalia's reach. In his perspective, Somalia lacks the prowess and manpower to challenge Ethiopia effectively. During a much-broadcast interview, General Jula minced no words criticizing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, articulating doubts about his capability to protect Mogadishu from the al-Shabaab insurgents. "He should worry about guarding the sea…

A pilot from Turkish Airlines met with a tragic fate, collapsing mid-air, an incident that led to an emergency descent in New York, as announced by the national flag carrier on Wednesday.The flight had originated from Seattle, a breezy city on America's West Coast, on Tuesday night, according to airline spokesperson Yahya Üstün's post on social media site X."Our Airbus 350 pilot for flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul fell unconscious while we soared in the sky," he shared."Despite valiant attempts at first aid, the duo of…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — In the face of regional discord, Somalia stands by its robust defense agreement with Egypt, harmonizing with its foreign policy to enhance its security framework, though ruffling feathers, particularly in Ethiopia. The pact, reminiscent of Somalia’s strategic alliances with the U.S., EU, Turkey, and nations in the Gulf, drew skepticism from Ethiopia. Concerns revolve around potential military intensification, fueled by maritime disputes and Egypt’s longstanding Nile River tensions. Hussein Sheikh Ali,…

Mogadishu (AX) - In a recent development, the Deputy Minister of Information of Somalia, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala, has thrown shade at Northeastern State, alleging that the region is playing hardball against forming a cohesive national army to work throughout Somalia. Adala highlighted that Northeastern State has stonewalled attempts to recruit soldiers from its turf, turning a blind eye to federal initiatives aimed at stationing troops in its areas. "Northeastern State has given the cold shoulder to army brigades…