army

Somalia’s army in pieces: Cowsweyne defeat still reverberates, former president warns When Al-Shabaab overran Cowsweyne in 2023, it did more than seize a strategic town in central Somalia. The militants’ victory cracked open the fragile architecture of the Somali National Army (SNA), scattering frontline units, exposing command fractures and — according to former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed — setting back efforts to rebuild a professional force for years. A rout with consequences “Osweyne was where Somali forces were…

Kenya’s new army chief tours volatile northeast as al‑Shabaab tests the border NAIROBI — Kenya’s new army commander, Lt. Gen. David Ketter, has made his first inspection swing through the country’s northeastern frontier, a scrubland expanse where the line between Kenya and Somalia blurs and al‑Shabaab’s shadow lingers. His tour of forward operating bases in Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa was part morale boost, part fact-finding — and a clear signal that Nairobi wants to steady the front at a time of shifting dynamics…

File Photo (RamHari Neupane - Anadolu Agency) An Ethiopian Air Force military helicopter met with disaster on Saturday in Bahir Dar, according to various news organizations. Details remain murky about whether this chopper carried military brass or government officials, revealed Borkena News. Questions loom large. The unfortunate event unfolded midday around Belay Zeleke International Airport, stationed in Bahir Dar—the core city of Amhara's lovely region. One worker at the airport mentioned to Meseret Media that the…

Somalia shook things up this Saturday, swapping out their top military brass in a dramatic reshuffle. The cabinet decided to retire Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow from his position as the chief of the armed forces, handing the reins over to Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh. The mood in Mogadishu was tense during the emergency meeting when this decision was made, reflecting the swirling political unrest in the Horn of Africa. It’s a big callback for Rageh, who’s no stranger to the role, having previously served as the army chief…

In the heart of Mogadishu, a hotspot of brewing strategies, the Somali Council of Ministers recently convened in a swift and decisive meeting held on Sunday night, a meeting that led to reshuffling some top military brass. Their resolution? Welcome back General Odowa Yusuf Raage as the head honcho of the Somali Armed Forces, sending General Ibrahim Muhyiddin to the sidelines. Straight from the chambers of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's office came the announcement, stamping the ministry's approval for General Raage's…

Somalia President Brings Back General Odowaa Yusuf, Noted for Oppositon Tactics, as Army Head MOGADISHU, Somalia - General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, recognized for his pivotal role when he became the chief of the Somali National Army (SNA) at the tender age of 32 in 2019, has been reappointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. After nearly a year away from the position, he's stepping back into the limelight. Odowaa's return follows his previous dismissal by President Mohamud, who had replaced him in 2023 with Maj. General Ibrahim…

The Nigerian presidency has made a somber announcement regarding the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff. President Bola Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the general's family and the entire military community. This tragic news comes just a year after the 56-year-old officer took on the prestigious role, and it is reported that he passed away in Lagos. The gravity of this loss resonates deeply not just within the military, but also throughout the nation. “His life was a testament to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a surprising twist of events, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown the door to a top brass member of the Somali National Army (SNA), just when the nation is intensely embroiled in its campaign against Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for causing upheaval, assert control over huge patches of rural zones in south and central Somalia. Recent military efforts have shaken their foundation, leaving many militants pondering defection to governmental camps. Nonetheless, the…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali National Army, along with Jubbaland's finest Dervishes, orchestrated a mission to topple a high-ranking al-Shabab figure last Friday in the northern regions of Lower Jubba, according to comments from government insiders.This concerted military effort zoned in on the hotbeds of al-Shabab activity around Dharkeen Urur and Orgiyow in Lower Jubba.Mohamud Ali Hussein, often tagged as "Qayliyow" within his circle, found his end during this strike. He was the mastermind behind surveillance, intelligence…

Kismayo (AX) - On a notable Wednesday, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) passed the reins of the Kuday Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) in Jubaland State.Tucked away in Lower Juba, Kuday FOB has been under the vigilant watch of the ATMIS Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) since 2015. The troops have been pivotal in fortifying Kismayo, acting as a crucial barrier around the bustling port city.Brig. Rashid Seif, who commands Sector Two of ATMIS, led the ceremonial turnover attended…