AlShabaab

U.S. Troops to Extend Somalia Stay Amidst ISIS and Al-Shabaab Threats MOGADISHU, Somalia - With an ever-present danger posed by the militants of IS-Somalia and Al-Shabaab, it seems the presence of the United States Africa Command in Somalia might continue longer than initially foreseen. These groups, notorious for their relentless influence, have brought tumult and discord to the Heart of Africa. During a recent discussion, Pete Hegseth,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant stride towards bolstering national security, Somalia’s federal government recently dispatched elite units from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to invigorate ongoing military operations against the looming threats of Al-Shabaab and ISIS. This move, brimming with both hope and resolve, marks a new chapter in Somalia’s long-standing struggle against insurgency. The day was Tuesday, when the ceremonial drums beat in Mogadishu as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stood before…

Beledweyne (AX) – In the often tumultuous chessboard of Somalia, where tactics and survival mingle intricately, the ebb and flow of conflict has confounded yet again. Al-Shabaab militants, those elusive insurgents with their unslakable thirst for turmoil, have found a new haunt—nestled by the murmuring banks of the Shabelle River in the Mahaday district, they plan their next move. Local inhabitants mutter about seeing swarms of militants sweeping into the area, battered from recent fierce skirmishes in Hiiraan. It’s as if…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a courtroom that has seen countless narratives of defiance and redemption, a unique tale unfolded as Somalia's Military Court made the unusual decision to release a young couple once linked to the Al-Shabaab insurgency. This compelling saga illustrates the nation's nuanced approach to reformation and reconciliation among defectors, capturing widespread interest and debate among Somalis. Consider the story of Hafso Mohamed Moalim—a woman who, along with several other young women, was…

Villa Somalia's Anti-Al-Shabaab Campaign: Genuine Move or Overshadowing Northeastern State? EDITORIAL | Within the intricate tapestry of Somalia's political chess game, a noteworthy pivot in strategy has emerged. The Federal Government has recently embarked on a vibrant yet enigmatic media campaign against the Al-Shabaab insurgents. It's a move laden with a mixture of strategy and intrigue, potentially designed to shift the narrative in a land where words sometimes wield more potency than swords. But why now, and what of…

In Beledweyne, a dawn of uncertainty painted the skies on Friday, cloaked in the echoes of heavy artillery. Somber yet resolute, Somali government forces, in a coalition with the spirited Ma'awisleey clan militias, engaged in a fierce confrontation with al-Shabaab fighters. The Hiiraan region was the theater of this formidable clash, its outcome pivotal in shaping local dynamics. The operation did not emerge from thin air; rather, it was a meticulously planned offensive aimed at dismantling the fortified positions of…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a decisive move, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), working closely with the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), executed a coordinated security operation on a bright Friday morning. The target? An elusive Al-Shabaab stronghold concealed in the shadows of Muuri. One might wonder, in the face of unending strife, what drives such bold undertakings? The primary objective of this mission was to quell the looming threats from the…

Macawisley Abuses Raise Dilemmas in Somalia's Anti-Al-Shabaab Strategy MOGADISHU, Somalia - The climate of Somalia's complex socio-political landscape is shifting once more, as fresh reports highlight concerning human rights abuses by the Macawisley militia, a group critical to the ongoing struggle against Al-Shabaab in the central regions. Such revelations were laid bare by Hassan Ali Nur Shute, the stern chief of Somalia's military court, who announced on…

In a setting as tranquil as an early Kenyan morning, an unexpected tremor of terror rippled across the vast stretches of Mandera County. Just as the rising sun cut through the morning mist, five government officials vanished, taken by the elusive hands of Al-Shabaab militants. The clock had barely ticked past dawn on Monday when the rugged paths leading from the small outpost of Wargadud to Elwak town witnessed this chilling event. Could anyone there have foreseen such an alarming start to the day? Julius Njeru, Mandera…

Al-Shabaab Abducts Five Kenyan Chiefs in Mandera County Nairobi, Kenya — Imagine clocking in for a day’s work, only to vanish without a trace. This unsettling fate befell five National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) from Mandera County, allegedly whisked away by Al-Shabaab militants. Why now? The abductions come with a disquieting timing—just before President William Ruto's anticipated visit to the region. Julius Njeru, the Mandera South Sub…