Somalia

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- On Wednesday, food security experts from Somalia, the United Nations (UN), and assorted global organizations pledged to initiate preemptive measures to counter the effects of extended droughts afflicting East Africa.Gathering at the National Climate Co-Production, Application, and Action Planning forum in Mogadishu, Somalia's bustling capital, the delegates aimed to tackle issues plaguing at-risk communities, especially those residing in drought-prone regions. This summit united climate scholars,…

According to a report, IS-Somalia manages to fund terrorist activities in multiple African nations. Omar Mahmood, a senior researcher with the International Crisis Group (ICG), remarked that IS-Somalia's influence extends beyond Somalia's borders to a greater extent than that of al-Shabab. "Al-Shabab is undeniably a larger menace," conveyed Mahmood. "However, IS-Somalia has endured significant challenges and established itself within the broader Islamic State network, particularly as a crucial financial hub among its…

How Ethiopian-Egypt Tensions Impact ONLF’s Political Legitimacy

Mogadishu (AX) — In a tragic turn of events early Tuesday, at least 15 people lost their lives and over 20 sustained injuries due to renewed clan hostilities in Buq village near Towfiiq in Somalia's Mudug region, local sources confirmed. The violent outbreak, which unfolded at dawn, saw armed factions from two feuding clans clash once again. Despite numerous peace efforts in recent months, tensions have flared repeatedly, frustrating community elders who have endeavored to mediate. The skirmish lasted several hours, and…

ISIS Somalia Branch Bolsters Operations with Gold Sales, Reeling in Up to $6 Million AXADLE, Somalia — Nestled in the rugged northeastern Bari region, the Islamic State's Somalia faction has found a lucrative gig — hawking locally mined gold, according to various accounts. Since 2022, these golden ventures have lined the group's coffers to the tune of an estimated $6 million, the International Crisis Group reports. The gold trade orchestrated by ISIS-Somalia shines a light on not just their economic maneuvers but also their…

‘The development in Mogadishu is promising – but we just want to be part of it.’ MOGADISHU - The city is undergoing a massive construction boom that's reshaping its skyline. However, while investors pour their funds into new apartment complexes and shopping hubs, the wealth gap is also widening dramatically. This is a harsh reality for the hundreds of thousands displaced by war and drought, struggling to eke out an existence. After clan-based violence tore apart the coastal city in the '90s, Mogadishu hit a developmental…

Baidoa (AX) — On Thursday, Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre engaged in meaningful discussions with the traditional elders of the Southwest state in Baidoa. The conversations pivoted on their indispensable role in building the nation and steering Somali governance.Southwest state President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen also graced the meeting, emphasizing the elders’ inputs on peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, especially in the Southwest regions.Prime Minister Barre underscored the crucial nature of…

Minneapolis, MN (AX) — Indian Congress heavyweight Rahul Gandhi's chat with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) while he was in Washington has sparked a barrage of backlash from India, notably from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP harshly criticized Gandhi, accusing him of siding with folks deemed "anti-India," pointing to Omar's vocal stance against India's Kashmir policies, religious intolerance, and human rights offenses. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American legislator representing Minnesota's 5th District,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Shazam! Mogadishu University clinched victory in the Somali International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Competition and will now wave Somalia’s flag at the All Africa IHL Competition in Nairobi this November. The showdown, which happened on Wednesday in Mogadishu, marked the first in-person gathering after a couple of years of virtual reality. Mogadishu University outperformed Somali National University in a tense and gripping final match-up.This dynamic contest, crafted by the International Committee of the Red…

ISIS Militants Rake in $6 Million Through Extortion in Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya - The relatively small yet menacing ISIS faction in Somalia has reportedly gathered nearly $6 million over the past couple of years, as highlighted in a recent report by the International Crisis Group (ICG). The report also points to the group’s ambitious endeavors to broaden its control. Currently active in Northeastern State’s Bari region, the ISIS-linked faction comprises around 500 combatants, including several foreigners. Their…