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

Hassan Sheikh’s planned Las Anod visit would be first by a Somali president since 1969, signaling federal push in north MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Las Anod this week, in what would be his first trip to the northeastern city and a highly symbolic bid to reinforce federal authority in northern Somalia, according to sources in the Northeastern Somalia presidency. If confirmed, the visit would be the first by a Somali head of state to Las Anod since President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke…

U.S., allies launch “large-scale” strikes on Islamic State targets across Syria after Palmyra attack U.S. and allied forces carried out large-scale strikes against the Islamic State group across Syria today, the U.S. military said, describing the operation as a direct response to last month’s attack that killed three Americans in the ancient city of Palmyra. U.S. Central Command said in a statement on X that “the strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria” as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched after a Dec. 13…

U.S., allied forces launch large-scale strikes on ISIS in Syria after deadly Palmyra attack U.S. and allied forces carried out large-scale strikes against the Islamic State group across Syria on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said, the latest response to a Dec. 13 assault in Palmyra that killed three Americans. “The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria” and were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which CENTCOM said was launched “in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra.” The…

Thousands march nationwide after ICE agent fatally shoots Minneapolis woman Renee Good MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of demonstrators chanting the name of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by a federal immigration agent, flooded Minneapolis streets on Saturday, the latest flashpoint in anger over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Organizers said more than 1,000 actions were planned across the United States under the slogan “ICE, Out for Good,” a nod to…

X faces threat of being effectively blocked in the United Kingdom as regulators probe its AI chatbot Grok over reports it generated sexualized deepfake images — including of children — at users’ request. Owner Elon Musk has denounced the backlash, saying critics “want any excuse for censorship.” The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, said it has launched an expedited assessment following urgent contact with X and is weighing enforcement under the Online Safety Act. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would support…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — China on Friday denied social media claims that Foreign Minister Wang Yi canceled a planned visit to Mogadishu over security concerns, calling the reports false and misleading. Wang had been expected to arrive in the Somali capital in what would be the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Somalia since the 1980s. The trip was part of a broader diplomatic tour of Africa focused on strengthening trade ties and cooperation, according to officials familiar with the planning. The Chinese Embassy in…

OIC states condemn Israeli official’s visit to North Western State of Somalia as violation of Somalia’s sovereignty Foreign ministers from more than 20 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned an Israeli official’s Jan. 6 visit to North Western State of Somalia, calling it an illegal act that violates the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In a joint statement issued Thursday, the ministers said the visit “breaches international law and the U.N. Charter”…

Somalia on Saturday voiced concern over damage to Qatar’s embassy in Kyiv during a Russian attack and urged full respect for international law protecting diplomats and foreign missions. In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it regretted the damage to the Qatari Embassy building and emphasized the inviolability of diplomatic premises under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. “The Federal Republic of Somalia expresses its profound concern over the damage sustained by the Embassy of the brotherly…

Kyiv’s water and heating systems are back on after a brief shutdown Friday as engineers scrambled to stabilize a power grid battered by weeks of Russian strikes and a plunging cold snap. The city administration said around noon local time that state grid operator Ukrenergo had ordered a full shutdown of Kyiv’s power system, forcing water and district heating to stop and halting electrified public transport. Less than an hour later, Ukrenergo said crews had remedied the immediate issue, caused by damage from earlier attacks,…

NEW DELHI — India on Friday reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, distancing itself from growing regional moves to recognize North Western State of Somalia amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. Responding to questions at a routine press briefing about the self-declared North Western State of Somalia administration, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored New Delhi’s long-held position in favor of Somalia’s unity. “India has longstanding…