bases

African Countries Hosting U.S. Bases Face Potential Risk from Iranian Missiles DJIBOUTI — Escalating confrontation between Iran and its rivals, including the United States and Israel, is pushing parts of Africa closer to the geopolitical firing line. Security and economic analysts warn that nations hosting American military facilities — most notably Djibouti’s Camp Lemonnier, the largest U.S. base on the continent — could be drawn into a broader conflict and face potential exposure to Iran’s long-range missile capabilities.…

Monday, February 23, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — North Western State of Somalia said it is prepared to grant the United States exclusive access to mineral resources and potentially host U.S. military bases, sharpening its bid for international recognition three decades after declaring independence from Somalia. In comments published Saturday by Agence France-Presse, North Western State of Somalia’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, said the territory is open to exclusive agreements…

Somali forces repel al-Shabab attack in Middle Shabelle after pre-dawn blast, ministry says JOWHAR, Somalia — Somali government forces repelled an al-Shabab attack on military positions in the Jabad Godane area of Middle Shabelle early Sunday after a pre-dawn explosion triggered hours of heavy fighting, the Defense Ministry said. In a statement, the ministry said the Somali National Army (SNA) “successfully foiled the assault” and now has full control of the area. Officials said the attack began with an explosion believed to…

U.S. pulls some personnel from Middle East bases as Iran warns of strikes if attacked The United States is withdrawing some personnel from key military bases in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran, a U.S. official said Wednesday, as Tehran warned regional neighbors it would target American facilities if Washington launches strikes. The U.N. Security Council is due to meet on Iran on Thursday at the request of the United States. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drawdowns are…

Iran has warned U.S. allies in the Middle East that it will strike American bases on their soil if Washington attacks Iran, according to a senior Iranian official, underscoring a sharp escalation in tensions surrounding a widening domestic crackdown and regional standoff. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tehran has asked U.S. partners in the region to “prevent Washington from attacking Iran,” and delivered a direct message that bases hosting U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — North Western State of Somalia on Thursday denied that it had agreed to resettle Palestinians from Gaza or host Israeli military bases in exchange for recognition from Israel, rejecting the claims as false and politically motivated. In a statement posted on X, North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “firmly rejects false claims made by the President of Somalia alleging the resettlement of Palestinians or the establishment of military bases in North…

Somalia to take Israel’s ‘North Western State of Somalia’ recognition to U.N., warns of Red Sea militarization MOGADISHU — Somalia will bring Israel’s announcement recognizing the self-declared “North Western State of Somalia” to the U.N. Security Council, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said, calling the move illegal and warning it could enable military basing, heighten Red Sea security risks and undermine Africa’s borders. In an interview with Egypt’s AlQahera News, Barre thanked Cairo for backing Somalia’s sovereignty and…

MOGADISHU — Puntland State security forces have destroyed more than 100 Islamic State (ISIS) bases in the Cal-Miskaad mountains during a yearlong sweep that has sharply degraded the group’s capabilities, the region’s police chief said Thursday. Police Commander Gen. Mumin Abdi Shire, speaking one year after Puntland State launched Operation Hilaac, said the offensive has eliminated key fighters and reduced ISIS’s military capacity by nearly 85 percent. He said weapons caches, supply depots and facilities used to manufacture…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State’s police chief says regional security forces have destroyed more than 100 Islamic State (ISIS) bases in the Cal-Miskaad mountains, marking what authorities call a decisive year for Operation Hilaac, the state’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign. General Mumin Abdi Shire, speaking Thursday on the first anniversary of the offensive, said the operation has eliminated key ISIS fighters and slashed the group’s military capability by nearly 85%. He said weapons caches, supply depots and…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State security forces have destroyed more than 100 Islamic State bases in the Cal-Miskaad mountains over the past year, sharply degrading the extremist group’s capabilities in northern Somalia, the region’s police chief said Thursday. Gen. Mumin Abdi Shire said the campaign, conducted under Operation Hilaac, has eliminated key ISIS fighters and reduced the group’s military capacity by nearly 85 percent. He said troops dismantled weapons caches, supply depots and facilities used to manufacture…