Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Friday May 1, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali National Army units have taken part in a multinational military exercise held in Turkey over the past several days, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. The expansive drill drew troops from a wide roster of countries, including Somalia, the United States, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Cameroon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. According to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, the exercise highlighted a broad spectrum of…

In a decisive move, Russia has asserted that its forces will maintain their presence in Mali, continuing to support the military government amid escalating tensions with Tuareg separatists demanding their withdrawal. This announcement follows recent surprise attacks that led to the pullout of Russian troops from the strategically significant town of Kidal. Once a hub of military operations, Kidal saw the Russian Africa Corps paramilitary unit retreat after insurgent strikes propelled a swift change in control. The town had…

Brazil’s Congress dealt President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a stinging political blow by overturning his veto of legislation that sharply cuts the prison term of his longtime rival Jair Bolsonaro, marking Lula’s second significant setback in two days. Bolsonaro, the former president, 71, was sentenced last year to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup after trying to remain in power following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 election. Lula, a leftist leader seeking to block the measure, had opposed an effort by the…

Friday May 1, 2026 Essa Suleiman is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Friday. Photograph: Newsquest/SWNS London (AX) — A knife attack in Golders Green, north London, has led to charges of attempted murder against a 45-year-old man after two Jewish men were stabbed, the Metropolitan Police Service said. Police said Essa Suleiman, a British national born in Somalia, faces two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place in relation to the Golders Green incident.…

Seven Costco Foods That Support Weight Loss With High Protein and Fiber Options Costco offers a variety of foods that can aid in weight loss, particularly those high in protein and fiber. For those trying to lose weight, Costco is an excellent resource if you know what to buy. "To lose weight, you need to be in a deficit. Calories from our food are only one component of this equation, but the foods that help the most with weight loss usually have four things in common," explains Lindsay Ogden, a certified personal trainer…

Amnesty International has launched a scathing indictment against the Nigerian government, asserting that officials have failed to safeguard Fulani pastoralists detained in Kwara State. The organization alleges that a staggering 150 individuals—predominantly children—succumbed to dire conditions within a military-managed facility where displaced persons endured lengthy incarceration. According to the report, these tragic deaths occurred among roughly 1,500 Fulani individuals, including men, women, and children, who were…

Citing transparency concerns, Zambia has pushed back the Summit, saying the delay was "necessitated by the need for comprehensive disclosure relating to key thematic issues proposed for discussion during the Summit." Earlier, the technology and science minister said the pause was intended to allow for "clearances" of some speakers.

Hungary’s incoming leader, Peter Magyar, says EU money frozen during Viktor Orban’s long standoff with Brussels could begin reaching Budapest soon, after high-level talks on his first trip to the Belgian capital since his election victory. The conservative politician flew to the centre of the European Union before formally taking office next month, signalling an early break with the rancour that defined Mr Orban’s 16 years in power. After what he described as a “highly constructive” meeting with European Commission president…

Friday May 1, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali National Army forces have killed at least 22 Al-Shabaab militants in a planned offensive in the Lower Shabelle region, the Ministry of Defense said Wednesday. In a statement, the ministry said the 72-hour operation struck militant positions in the Bulo Abdalla area, situated between Mubarak and Ugunji. The assault combined ground fighting with coordinated airstrikes, and officials said it left 22 militants dead, among them a senior figure identified as Abdirahman Jeeri. Authorities…

Iran has threatened “long and painful strikes” on American positions if Washington resumes attacks and presses its claim over the Strait of Hormuz, injecting fresh uncertainty into US efforts to assemble a coalition to reopen the crucial waterway. Now two months into the US-Israeli war with Iran, the narrow sea passage remains shut, cutting off 20% of global oil and gas supplies. The disruption has driven energy prices sharply higher and intensified fears that the world economy could slide toward a downturn. Attempts to…