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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OCP Group, a global leader in plant-nutrition solutions, announced a five-year strategic partnership to accelerate scientific innovation for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. The collaboration, designed to bolster the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative, brings together the IAEA’s expertise in nuclear and isotopic techniques with OCP’s fertilizer science and field reach to address soil fertility, crop productivity and post-harvest safety. The agreement signals an…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey has deployed F-16 fighter jets to support the Somali National Army, Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said Wednesday, describing the move as a significant step in strengthening the country’s air capabilities and counterterrorism operations. Announcing the deployment during a handover ceremony for the new army chief at the defense ministry in Mogadishu, Fiqi said the aircraft will provide strategic backing for ongoing security campaigns. “The arrival of Turkey’s F-16s marks a significant…

Somalia, EU sign €102 million budget-support deal to sustain reforms MOGADISHU — Somalia and the European Union on Friday signed a €102 million ($110 million) financing agreement that provides direct budget support and development funding to help stabilize public finances and keep reforms on track, Somali officials said. The deal, finalized in Mogadishu after high-level talks, signals continued European confidence in the government’s state-building agenda after decades of conflict and institutional collapse. EU officials…

Somalia graduates new Gorgor Special Forces at TURKSOM as push against al-Shabab builds MOGADISHU — Somalia on Thursday graduated new units of its elite Gorgor Special Forces after completing training at the TURKSOM Military Training Academy, a milestone officials framed as pivotal to intensifying military operations against al-Shabab in the south. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, speaking at the ceremony, praised Somali National Army (SNA) leadership for sustained efforts to professionalize the force and strengthen…

Taiwan’s Lai vows to defend sovereignty after China’s ‘Justice Mission 2025’ drills TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te pledged to “resolutely defend” the island’s sovereignty and accelerate its defense buildup after China fired rockets toward Taiwan and massed warships and aircraft nearby in sweeping “Justice Mission 2025” military drills. In a New Year’s address delivered from the presidential office and broadcast live, Lai said the international community is watching to see whether Taiwanese people have the resolve to…

Yemen and Somalia Look to the Gulf of Aden for a Reset — Trade, Flights, and a Security Hedge On a warm Sunday in Aden, inside a government building that has seen more than its share of chapter changes, Yemen’s Transport Minister Dr. Abdisalam Hamid sat down with Somalia’s ambassador, Abdulhakim Mohamed, to talk about rebuilding old routes across a troubled sea. The meeting didn’t produce the flashy, sweeping pledges that crowd the diplomatic calendar. Yet in a region where small steps often foreshadow bigger shifts, their…

MOGADISHU — Somalia moves to fortify capital after high-profile al Shabaab attack MOGADISHU, Oct 23, 2025 — Somali authorities have dispatched newly trained security units to the main approaches into Mogadishu in a renewed effort to tighten control of the capital after a brazen assault on a national intelligence compound earlier this month. Residents and independent witnesses described convoys of troops in armoured personnel carriers and pickup trucks mounting checkpoints on highways leading into the city late Wednesday,…

In an engaging rendezvous in Ankara, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Somalia's Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur convened to amplify military and security cooperation between their two nations. Their conversation revolved around supercharging their collective endeavors in defense and counterterrorism, directly tackling the regional security hurdles, notably Somalia’s ongoing tussle with Al-Shabaab. A lot of time was also spent tossing ideas for extending ties in trade, energy, and humanitarian assistance.…

Riyadh (AX) — In a significant move for regional business prospects, Somali Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Maalam Faqi, met with the Saudi Minister of Investment, Eng. Khaled bin Abdul Aziz Al-Falah, in the vibrant heart of Riyadh this Monday. Their goal? To explore investment and trading opportunities that could benefit both Somalia and Saudi Arabia.Engaging in lively dialogue, the ministers outlined sectors teeming with potential for economic collaboration, focusing on Somalia’s abundant resources. "Somalia offers a…

Mogadishu (AX) — Blimey, the Brits have dug deep, tossing an extra £7.5 million into the coffers to back the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, ATMIS. Their pot now brims with a whopping £77 million since 2021. This cash injection pays the brave souls from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, anchoring ATMIS in their gritty mission. Mike Nithavrianakis, the UK's envoy to Somalia, banged the drum for Britain's enduring dedication to Somalia's defense and growth. He voiced, "Backing ATMIS isn't just…