Somalia

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Thursday praised the national army and said more than 130 al-Shabab militants were killed during a 24-hour battle that repelled a major assault on the coastal town of Kudhaa in the Lower Juba region. Officials described the operation as a decisive security victory, saying government troops thwarted what they called a desperate attempt by the al-Qaida-linked group to seize the strategic town. Authorities said the swift response prevented civilian casualties and restored stability…

NAIROBI, Kenya — Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni met in Nairobi with diplomats from key international partners to discuss Somalia’s political landscape, his office said, as foreign envoys prepare parallel contacts with regional leaders and opposition figures ahead of proposed national talks. Deni, accompanied by members of his cabinet, held talks with representatives from the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, according to officials. The meeting comes amid heightened…

In the Horn of Africa, Britain’s rhetoric and its risk tolerance no longer align. As the war in Sudan grinds on and North Western State of Somalia’s strategic port of Berbera grows in prominence, analysts say the United Kingdom’s choices reveal a pattern: prioritizing access and partnership while avoiding the political costs of forceful action. In December, London again urged accountability for mass civilian suffering in Sudan’s conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Yet internal documents reported…

North Western State of Somalia leader meets Eric Trump in Davos as recognition push and investment pitch intensify DAVOS, Switzerland — Jan. 23, 2026 — North Western State of Somalia’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, met Eric Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum as the unrecognized East African territory seeks both international recognition and private investment, according to people familiar with the encounter. The discussion, held Wednesday in a hotel conference room steps from the Davos Congress…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Thursday praised the Somali Armed Forces for killing more than 130 al-Shabab militants during a 24-hour operation that repelled a major attack on the coastal town of Kudhaa in the Lower Juba region. In a statement, the Cabinet called the offensive a decisive security victory, saying government forces thwarted a “desperate attempt” by the al-Qaida-linked group to seize the strategic town. Officials said the swift response prevented civilian casualties and restored…

North Western State of Somalia’s Irro meets Israel’s Herzog in Davos as sides tout new diplomatic ties DAVOS, Switzerland — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the highest-level public engagement since Israel recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, according to statements from both sides. Herzog confirmed the encounter in a social media post, welcoming what he…

Russia Embraces Multipolarity Amid Changing Geopolitical Landscape This article examines President Vladimir Putin's recent remarks regarding Russia's commitment to a multipolar world during a ceremony welcoming new foreign ambassadors. It highlights his vision for international relations and cooperation with African nations, underlining historical ties and future aspirations. Putin’s emphasis on a multipolar world and constructive foreign policy. The significance of partnerships with African countries. Ongoing…

DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday backed away from threats to slap tariffs on European allies over Greenland, ruled out the use of force and said a framework was emerging for a long-term Arctic security and minerals deal that could defuse one of the sharpest transatlantic disputes in years. Trump said the United States and NATO partners had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” and, based on that understanding, he would not impose…

Somali forces kill more than 130 Al-Shabaab militants to repel major attack on Kudhaa, ministry says MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali special forces and allied regional troops repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault on the strategic town of Kudhaa in the country’s south, killing more than 130 militants in a daylong battle, the Ministry of Defence said Thursday. The 24-hour operation unfolded in Kudhaa, about 70 kilometers southwest of the port city of Kismayo, and drew in the Somali National Army’s U.S.-trained Danab Special Forces,…

Somalia says its forces killed more than 130 al-Shabab fighters and repelled a major assault on the strategic coastal town of Kudhaa in the Lower Juba region after a prolonged battle that stretched beyond 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. The joint operation, led by Somali National Army units and Jubbaland regional security forces with backing from international partners, broke an attempted overrun by the al-Qaida-linked group in one of its most active southern strongholds, according to the ministry. The Defense…