Al Shabaab

Somali army steps up operations against al-Shabaab after attacks MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali national army has stepped up its operations against Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, focusing on the southern and central regions, where they have waged a charm offensive over the past three months. State media, citing military officials, reported that at least 13 militants were killed in the operation…

US Secretary of Defense defends airstrikes in Somalia against Al-Shabaab WASHINGTON - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that US airstrikes targeting al-Shabab in Somalia over the past few days were undertaken because Somali forces are stepping up their offensive against the al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group. “More recently what has happened is that our partner forces have…

Ilhan Omar challenges Biden's admiration for new airstrikes in Somalia WASHINGTON - Somali-born US congressman Ilhan Omar is now disputing new airstrikes in Somalia by the US Africa Command, which has helped the Horn of Africa nation contain the threat of Al- Shabaab over the past two years. This comes after Tuesday's airstrike by the United States that targeted suspected members of Al-Shabaab…

EDITORIAL | Somalia heads for much delayed and eagerly awaited elections this Sunday; having already overcome enormous amounts of challenges. And the credit could go to Somali Prime Minister Hussein Roble, who managed to stabilize the ship that appeared to be sinking earlier in the year. Of course, these arrangements could never have been made if the federal states had chosen to go their way. They deserve credit for having chosen the best interests of the country at a time when the leaders of the federal government were…

SNA chief clashes with AMISOM force commander over anti-Al-Shabaab offensive MOGADISHU, Somalia - A dispute has arisen between the Somali national army and the African Union Mission Forces in Somalia, reports the Voice of America, in what could potentially ruin the gains made so far in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. VOA Somali claims that SNA chief Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh wrote a…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US military carried out the first drone strike against Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, which now becomes the first-ever airstrike in the Horn of Africa country under the administration of President Joe Biden, who took up his post in January 2021. Defense ministry said Tuesday's airstrike was carried out against militants after they ambushed the Somali National Army commandos, Danab's special forces in Galkayo, a troubled town in Galmadug state in central Somalia. Pentagon spokeswoman Cindi…

Al-Shabaab leader threatens election delegates ahead of election MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab says it is monitoring ongoing preparations for elections in Somalia, which threatens the future of the Horn of Africa nation, which still grapples with instability, more than three decades on the ousting of military dictator Siad Barre. Al-Shabaab, which controls vast swathes of rural central and…

Turkish-trained soldiers graduate in Somalia amid ongoing battle MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia welcomed another contingent of Gorgor's troops on Sunday after successfully completing their training at the Turkish-run military school in Somalia, as the country bolsters its troops in the fight against al-Shabaab militants. Turkey is one of Somalia's security partners and has worked hard to ensure…

An AU report on the future of AMISOM in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - A report released by an independent team assessing the future of AMISOM in Somalia exposed some of the underlying factors, which could after all delay the long-awaited exit of the nation's team from the Horn of Africa, after a decade of peacekeeping. According to the report which was exclusively seen by Garowe Online, the…

Top al-Shabaab leader killed in Somalia as military operations escalate MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior al-Shabaab leader was killed in Somalia on Friday, the army said, in the latest development, proving the national army's ability to take over the security responsibilities of the mission forces. African Union. In a statement, the military said the top leader was killed in Middle Shabelle, one of…