Somali Forces Strengthen Control Over Al-Shabaab Areas

Major Offensive Against Al-Shabaab in Lower Jubba Region This section details the ongoing military operations by Somali federal forces and Jubbaland troops in their efforts to regain control of Jamaame district from Al-Shabaab militants. Joint forces are advancing toward strategic locations in Lower Jubba. The offensive aims to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s control over key areas. Operations have intensified over the past two weeks. Advances Toward Jamaame Somali federal forces, supported by troops from the Jubbaland…

Banadir Police Chief Orders Crackdown as Mogadishu Phone Robberies Surge

MOGADISHU — The commander of the Banadir Regional Police Force, Mahdi Omar Mumin, on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to tighten security across Mogadishu as residents report a surge in mobile phone robberies and attacks by armed bandits, authorities said. Senior police officers briefed Mumin on recent security incidents reported in multiple districts and outlined both ongoing and planned operations aimed at curbing robberies — with an emphasis on mobile phone thefts carried out by armed groups. The session assessed…

AU Denounces Coup in Guinea-Bissau That Interrupted Election Results

African Union Condemns Guinea-Bissau Military Coup Amid Electoral Unrest The African Union (AU) has issued a strong condemnation of the November 26 military coup in Guinea-Bissau, occurring just as the nation was poised to announce the results of Sunday’s presidential election. This sudden upheaval has raised significant concerns about the stability and democratic processes in the West African nation. In a statement released shortly after the coup, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the…

Malawi Court Authorizes Search of Ex-President Chakwera’s Residence

Lilongwe — A court in Lilongwe has issued a warrant authorizing a search of former President Lazarus Chakwera’s residence over allegations that he is unlawfully holding four State-owned security dogs, according to court records and an affidavit filed with the court. The affidavit says the animals are normally deployed to State House and other presidential security installations and were allegedly moved into Chakwera’s custody without the required approval. The warrant empowers investigators to enter the former president’s…

Military Coup Shakes Guinea-Bissau Amid Political Unrest

Guinea-Bissau Military Takes Control Amidst Political Turmoil In a dramatic political shift, Guinea-Bissau's military has asserted control over the nation, halting the electoral process and closing borders. This move follows recent national elections marred by unrest. Military declared control after gunfire near the presidential palace. Borders sealed and media programming suspended. General Denis N'Canha cited threats from national drug lords. Power Shift Led by Military Forces General Denis N'Canha…

Somali Court Sentences Woman to Six Years for Al-Shabaab Funding

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali court has sentenced a woman to six years in prison for financing the militant group Al-Shabaab, part of a broader government push to sever the insurgents’ money networks. In a separate overnight raid, security forces said they killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander in the central Galgaduud region. Key developments: Maryan Mohamed Nur was sentenced to six years after the court found she had direct links to Al-Shabaab and helped move funds to the group, prosecutors said. Investigators…

U.S. and Puntland State Raid ISIS Stronghold in Somalia; Top Militants Killed, Captured

BOSASO, Somalia — U.S. special operations forces, working with Puntland State’s Counter-Terrorism Forces, mounted a helicopter-borne raid on an Islamic State enclave in the Cal-Miskaad mountains on Tuesday, killing senior leaders and capturing fighters, according to U.S. Africa Command and Puntland State officials. The joint operation struck targets in Baallade Valley, with troops assaulting the HabarBajuuke cave complex after an exchange of fire with militants from IS-Somalia, officials said. U.S. Africa Command said the…

Why Ethiopia–U.S. defense cooperation is growing, from counterterrorism to maritime security

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia’s top military commander said the country’s defense partnership with the United States will remain strong as both nations move to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism and regional stability — including support for Ethiopia’s push for peaceful access to the Red Sea. Field Marshal Berhanu Jula met Friday in Addis Ababa with a U.S. delegation led by Gen. Dagvin R. M. Anderson of U.S. Africa Command. Both sides discussed ways to bolster security in the Horn of Africa, where Ethiopia has…

Somali President Sparks Outrage by Saying Al-Shabaab Can Apply for National IDs

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is facing backlash after saying members of the al-Shabab extremist group can apply for Somalia’s new national ID cards — a move he argues will bolster national security and the economy but that critics warn could be counterproductive. Speaking at the 2nd Somali National ID Conference in Mogadishu, Mohamud said militants had told security agencies they were ready to register for the biometric program. “Let them take it — their fingerprints and their faces will be…

Sudan’s Military Thwarts Recent RSF Offensive Attempt

Sudanese Military Repels RSF Offensive in Babnousa The ongoing conflict in Sudan saw another clash as military forces repelled an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Babnousa. This adds to the escalating violence in the region. The army's 22nd Infantry Division countered the RSF's assault effectively. RSF had been moving towards Babnousa, which has been under siege since January 2024. No official comments from either the Sudanese army or RSF regarding the recent events. Details of the Offensive…