Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

CARACAS, Venezuela — U.S. airstrikes pounded military sites in and around Caracas before dawn as U.S. forces carried out a raid to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who was later flown to New York to face drugs and weapons charges, U.S. officials said. The operation — described by the Pentagon as “Operation Absolute Resolve” — began shortly before 2 a.m. local time, with explosions rocking the capital and nearby cities for more than an hour. Video circulating on social media showed helicopters sweeping low over Caracas…

KYIV, Ukraine — Security advisers from Ukraine’s key allies met in Kyiv on Monday to push a U.S.-brokered plan to end the war with Russia, days after Ukrainian officials said a draft agreement was “90%” complete. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany, as well as representatives of NATO and the European Union, joined the talks, the first in a planned series this month. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff participated virtually, a Ukrainian official said. A follow-up meeting of European leaders is expected in France…

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast early Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, the country’s first launch of the year and a show of force just hours before South Korea’s president departs for a summit in China. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said it detected “several projectiles, presumed to be ballistic missiles,” launched from the vicinity of Pyongyang around 7:50 a.m. local time (10:50 p.m. Irish time Tuesday). The launches appeared to head toward the Sea of Japan, known in…

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrived at a U.S. military base in New York state after his capture by U.S. forces in Caracas, setting up an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on drug-trafficking charges as President Donald Trump declared the United States would “run” Venezuela until a transition can be arranged. Maduro was seen flanked by FBI agents as he stepped off a U.S. government plane at a National Guard facility and was escorted across the tarmac. He was expected to be flown by helicopter to New York…

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will travel to China beginning tomorrow for a five-day visit, the first by an Irish leader since 2012, as Beijing moves to shore up ties with individual European Union members amid deepening trade and security frictions. China’s foreign ministry announced the trip, which runs through Thursday, saying Beijing “is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial co-operation with Ireland.” Martin is due to meet Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji,…

UNITED NATIONS — Somalia on Friday assumed the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council for January, its first time at the helm since serving on the council in 1971-72. Calling the moment historic, Somalia’s U.N. ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said the presidency follows the country’s return to the council after 54 years and “is a significant milestone.” He said Somalia’s election and stewardship “symbolizes Somalia’s commitment to strengthening multilateralism.” Osman said that over the past year Somalia has sought…

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has highlighted three critical conflicts in Africa that are poised to carry into 2026, following a tumultuous year marred by violence and instability. The ICG's "conflicts to watch" report names Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the volatile situation in Mali and Burkina Faso as focal points that require immediate international attention. Having faced a devastating escalation in violence throughout 2025, these regions find themselves at a pivotal juncture. Sudan, under the shadow of a…

Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ doctrine is being tested across three regions, as the White House pairs anti-interventionist rhetoric with rapid, forceful action in Venezuela, Nigeria and the Middle East. Nearly a year after returning to office promising to be a “peacemaker and unifier,” President Donald Trump has ordered large-scale military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro, the country’s leftist strongman. The raid, launched at the start of the new year, follows a Christmas Day…

Explosions, low-flying aircraft rattle Caracas overnight as tensions with U.S. simmer CARACAS, Venezuela — At least seven explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft jolted Venezuela’s capital around 2 a.m. local time Saturday, prompting residents in several neighborhoods to rush into the streets. The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was not clear what caused the blasts, and there were no immediate details on damage or casualties. Residents across multiple areas of Caracas…

Trump says U.S. forces captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, flew him out of the country President Donald Trump announced today that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country, a stunning turn in a 12-year rule defined by economic collapse, political repression and a standoff with Washington. Trump also said Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was taken into custody. Maduro, 63, a socialist and the handpicked successor to the late Hugo Chávez, had long been accused by domestic opponents and…