Somalia

Somali Army's Strategic Advances Against Al-Shabaab MOGADISHU, Somalia - In recent months, there's been a palpable shift in Somalia's ongoing campaign against the notorious militant group, Al-Shabaab. The Somali National Army (SNA), in collaboration with local forces, has been at the heart of it all, engaging in daring operations across the central and southern regions of the country. But why now? What’s driving this momentum toward stability?…

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, President Donald Trump recently sanctioned a series of airstrikes in Yemen on territories controlled by the Houthi rebels. His assurance of employing “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iran-supported militants desist from their aggressions against shipping vessels along critical marine pathways reverberates sternly. Reports from the Houthis indicate a tragic toll of at least 18 civilian casualties, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict's human cost. "Our brave Warfighters are…

Mogadishu (AX) — Imagine stepping into the world of politics in Somalia, where every decision can ripple through a nation hungry for stable governance. In a striking development, a collective of over 100 Somali MPs has raised their voices against what they perceive as an unjust expulsion of their colleague, MP Abdullahi Abib. Their protest is more than just a call for justice; it’s an assertion that the decision made by the Speaker of the House is unconstitutional and embodies a worrying misuse of power. The uproar was…

In a world where lines on maps often dictate lives, the tale unfolding between the U.S., Israel, and three East African nations stands as a vivid illustration. Imagine being privy to the intricate dance of diplomacy—an arena where intentions are questioned and motivations aren’t always clear. This story centers around the idea of resettling Palestinians uprooted from the Gaza Strip. Yes, you heard that right. Some conversations behind closed doors are as gripping as any novel you might pick up.…

In a world where political landscapes shift like desert sands, communication remains the linchpin of understanding. Picture this: a proposal emerges, suggesting the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to various regions, including Somalia and North Western State of Somalia. Yet echoing through the corridors of power, both nations' foreign ministers stand firmly in unity, as of Friday. No such proposition had landed on their doorsteps from the United States or Israel, with a clear denunciation already emanated from…

It's one of those sunlit days in the Gaza Strip where beneath the bright sky, a grim reality unfolds. A solitary Palestinian man treads carefully around the remnants of what were once homes, now reduced to rubble after recent Israeli military offensives in Rafah. It’s an image captured by Hatem Khaled, a photographer from Reuters, that echoes the volatile geopolitics and humanitarian difficulties plaguing this part of the world. Meanwhile, in an unfolding diplomatic narrative, Sudanese officials announced that they have…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a move that echoes the sentiments of past policies, the United States seems poised to impose significant travel restrictions affecting citizens from an array of 43 countries, with Somalia notably among them. This development harks back to restrictive measures that characterized the Trump administration, as reported by The New York Times. At the heart of this unfolding story is a draft policy that’s buzzing through the corridors of U.S. diplomatic and security affairs. The document essentially classifies…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a narrative akin to geopolitical chess, discussions between the United States and the semi-autonomous region of North Western State of Somalia are reportedly in motion. The whispers of diplomatic maneuvers trace back to a possibility as bold as it is controversial: the potential U.S. recognition of North Western State of Somalia in exchange for the establishment of a military base in Berbera, a locale of undeniable strategic value perched on the Gulf of Aden. This conjecture was recently…

Mogadishu, Somalia (AX) — In a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked conversations, Somalia's landscape of journalism faces a sudden tremor. The scene was set on a seemingly ordinary Saturday morning in Mogadishu when the tranquility of the city was disrupted. Members of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) conducted a raid, leading to the unexpected detention of a well-regarded media personality, Ms. Bahjo Abdullahi Salaad, a reporter and newscaster with RTN. Witnesses described a swift operation.…

Lafoole Incident: A Community Gripped by Fear Amidst Unfolding Challenges In the early hours of Saturday morning, as dawn cautiously approached the Lafoole neighborhood, located approximately 25 kilometers south of Mogadishu, the tranquility of the moment was shattered. Lafoole, a vibrant yet vulnerable community near the town of Afgoi, woke up to the unsettling sound of unrest. According to local residents, militants, cloaked in the cover of darkness, briefly took control of the area. Residents, visibly…