Somalia

WASHINGTON — Senior Israeli and Saudi officials are holding separate talks in Washington this week as U.S.-Iran tensions rise and President Donald Trump weighs possible military action, officials said. Israel’s military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, met Tuesday and Wednesday with senior officials at the Pentagon, the CIA and the White House, according to people familiar with the meetings. The discussions centered on updated intelligence assessments and potential targets inside Iran should strikes be…

Somalia hosts Horn of Africa finance ministers in Mogadishu, with energy trade at center of agenda MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday closed the 27th Horn of Africa Initiative Forum of finance ministers, the first time the high-level regional meeting has been held in Mogadishu, in a session that put regional energy trade at the heart of economic integration efforts. Officials said convening the forum in the Somali capital signaled growing international confidence in Somalia’s security and…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government has canceled an arrest warrant for Jubaland President Ahmed Madoobe, clearing the way for him to attend high-level talks in Mogadishu on Feb. 1 and potentially easing a long-running standoff between federal and regional authorities. The Banadir Regional Court issued the warrant in November 2024 after Madoobe secured a third-term victory in Kismayo, a re-election the federal government deemed illegal under the country’s shift toward a one-person, one-vote electoral system. The order…

Lamine Yamal’s star turn powered Barcelona past Copenhagen 4-1 on Wednesday, clinching a top-eight finish in the Champions League’s new league phase and an automatic berth in the round of 16. The 18-year-old winger set up Robert Lewandowski’s equalizer and then struck the go-ahead goal before Raphinha and Marcus Rashford added late finishes to cap a dominant second half. Barcelona, winners in 14 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, finished fifth in the 36-team table to avoid February’s playoff round. Final:…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia replaced its army chief on Thursday as the government prepares a new phase of operations against al-Shabab in central and southern regions, naming Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud to lead the Somali National Army. The shake-up was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to the prime minister’s office. Maj. Gen. Odawaa Yusuf Rageh was removed from the post, the statement said, in a move officials framed as part of a broader effort to modernize the…

Somalia, Türkiye agree on Port of Mogadishu upgrades to boost trade, revenue MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia and Türkiye have agreed to develop new infrastructure projects at the Port of Mogadishu to expand trade, raise state revenue and improve efficiency at the country’s main maritime gateway, officials said Wednesday. The agreement followed talks in Mogadishu with a senior Turkish delegation led by Durmuş Ünüvar, Türkiye’s deputy minister of transport and infrastructure, signaling a renewed phase of cooperation…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Tuesday it killed a senior al-Shabaab commander in an airstrike on the militant group’s network in Kuunyo Barrow, a town in the Lower Shabelle region. In a statement, the agency identified the target as Abdullahi Hassan Abdi Cosoble, known as “Abdullahi Wadaad,” describing him as al-Shabaab’s chief finance officer. NISA said the operation was conducted in coordination with Somalia’s international security partners. According to NISA, Wadaad oversaw…

U.S. to resume food aid after Somalia acknowledges disruptions to WFP operations MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States said it will resume World Food Program (WFP) food distribution in Somalia after the federal government acknowledged its role in disrupting aid operations and confirmed that commodities affected by port expansion in the capital have been returned. In a statement, U.S. Foreign Assistance said: “The United States acknowledges the Federal Government of Somalia for taking responsibility for its actions affecting…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government on Monday praised Türkiye for what it called steadfast support in security cooperation and counterterrorism, following talks in Mogadishu between Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and a high-level Turkish delegation. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office described Türkiye as a strategic partner that has bolstered Somalia’s security, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It said Ankara’s engagement has been central to strengthening Somali state institutions,…

MOGADISHU — The United States will resume World Food Programme food distributions in Somalia after the federal government accepted responsibility for actions that disrupted humanitarian operations at the Port of Mogadishu earlier this month, clearing the way for life-saving aid to reach millions facing acute food insecurity. U.S. officials said Somalia’s acknowledgment of accountability satisfied conditions set after Washington halted certain assistance on Jan. 7, when it accused Somali officials of demolishing a U.S.-funded…