Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

U.S. SOCAFRICA chief meets Jubbaland leader in Kismayo to deepen fight against al-Shabab KISMAYO, Somalia — The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa met Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe in Kismayo on Monday to discuss ongoing military operations against al-Shabab and expanded security cooperation in southern Somalia, officials said. Maj. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr.’s visit comes amid intensified counterterrorism efforts in the Jubbaland region, where Somali forces, backed by international partners,…

Irish book-keeper wins more than £23,000 for racial harassment at Leeds employment tribunal An Irish employee has been awarded more than £23,000 after a Leeds employment tribunal found she was racially harassed at work by the director of engineering firm West Leeds Civils. The tribunal ruled that Bernadette Hayes, a book-keeper, was subjected to repeated abuse linked to her Irish heritage, including being called “potato,” “paddy,” “stupid paddy” and “pikey,” terms the judge described as “offensive and humiliating” and…

Somalia condemns Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan, backs Baku’s sovereignty as regional tensions rise Tuesday, March 10, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia has condemned Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Azerbaijan, aligning itself with Baku amid a widening confrontation that has drawn in the United States, Israel and Iran. Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali conveyed Mogadishu’s stance in a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, according to a statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The call…

Ukraine to dispatch counter-drone teams to Middle East as demand surges after ‘Operation Epic Fury’ Ukraine is sending drone defense specialists to the Middle East this week after 11 countries requested help countering Iranian-made drones fired in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes launched under Operation Epic Fury, Ukrainian officials said. Speaking at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna said Kyiv’s response is designed to provide immediate, practical support rather than “concern or…

On the 11th anniversary of his disappearance, human rights groups renewed calls for truth and accountability in the case of pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara, who was abducted outside a barber shop in Glen View, Harare, on March 9, 2015, and has not been seen since. Dzamara’s disappearance remains unresolved a decade after the incident that shocked Zimbabwe and drew attention to the risks faced by vocal critics of the country’s former president, Robert Mugabe. Amnesty International Zimbabwe said Dzamara’s family has…

Guinea: Government Dissolves Political Parties, Sparking Outcry The government of Guinea has taken a controversial step by dissolving 40 political parties, a move critics say underscores the potential shift towards a one-party state under President Mamady Doumbouya. This significant action includes the dissolution of well-known parties such as the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea and the Rally of the People of Guinea, which is associated with former president Alpha Condé. In a sweeping measure, the government has also…

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council on Monday warned against any postponement of the country’s 2026 national elections, citing constitutional deadlines and the risk of renewed instability if timelines slip. In a statement, the council said the term of the Federal Parliament under the 2012 provisional constitution ends on April 14, 2026, while the president’s mandate expires on May 15, 2026. It urged authorities to keep the electoral calendar intact to safeguard the…

At Cheltenham, the noise comes first. The “Cheltenham roar” will roll off Cleeve Hill at lunchtime, the familiar signal that four of National Hunt racing’s biggest days are under way. What will matter after the echo fades is how many throats are behind it — and what those numbers say about a festival recalibrating after a boom-and-bust attendance cycle. In 2022, the Cheltenham Festival drew a record 280,000 fans through Prestbury Park. Organizers responded with a daily cap of 68,500 the following year as the course brimmed…

Iran vowed to continue missile attacks and ruled out negotiations with the United States on Tuesday, minutes after President Donald Trump predicted the war would be “over very soon,” underscoring a widening gulf in messages as strikes rippled across the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed to oil tankers. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told PBS News the country is prepared to sustain its campaign “as long as necessary” and that talks with Washington are “no longer on the agenda.” Iran’s…

UAE says consulate attacked by drone amid fraught Middle East security climate The United Arab Emirates said one of its consulates was targeted by a drone, an incident the government described as a serious breach of diplomatic protections as authorities worked to assess the impact and circumstances. Initial information released by the UAE did not specify the consulate’s location, the extent of any damage, or whether there were casualties. The government indicated that relevant authorities were investigating and coordinating…