clashes

Somali Army Kills Senior Al-Shabaab Leader Amid Fighting Outside The Capital MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a strategic airstrike that encapsulates the tumultuous and determined fight to reclaim stability, the Somali National Army (SNA) has successfully taken down a high-ranking Al-Shabaab militant. This mission, executed with precision, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to dismantle the militant network seeking to unseat Somalia's UN-backed government.…

Mogadishu (AX) – Tensions yet again escalated in the Buqdharkayn district on Friday, as North Western State of Somalia forces and the SSC-Khatumo administration found themselves at crossroads, each attributing blame to the other for sparking the latest bout of heavy fighting. Such conflicts, especially in areas which have enjoyed relative calm, raise questions about the enduring quest for peace in the region. The Ministry of Interior of North Western State of Somalia released an intriguing narrative: it was SSC-Khatumo…

In the tense landscapes of northern Somalia, the ancient refrains of discord echo once more as armed factions square off in the town of Buqdharkayn. This contested site, caught in the crossfire between North Western State of Somalia forces and the SSC Khaatumo fighters, has become the latest theatre in a long-standing territorial saga. Amid Strife: A Friday of Conflict As twilight gave way to dawn on a chilly Friday morning, the sound of gunfire shattered the…

Mogadishu: A Battle in Beera Yabaal and the Fight Against Extremism The sun had barely risen over the sprawling landscapes of the Hiran region when Mogadishu found itself embroiled in the latest chapter of an ongoing conflict. Intense fighting erupted on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday morning in the Beera Yabaal area as Somali government forces, backed by courageous local militias, confronted the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab militants. It's intriguing, isn't it, how life in certain parts of the world can oscillate…

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…

Experts suggest Donald Trump's Afghan refugee policies may herald a stringent stance on immigration Washington, DC – It was a rainy September morning in 2023 when Ruqia Balkhi first set foot in the United States. After a journey fraught with uncertainty, she was welcomed by a federally funded resettlement agency, one that would become her lifeline in this foreign land. At 55, Balkhi, an accomplished engineer, was amidst a cohort of Afghans who had stood shoulder to shoulder with US military forces during their prolonged…

Conflict in Shangeed: A Tense Standoff The stillness of dawn shattered in an instant on Thursday as violent clashes erupted between North Western State of Somalia and SSC Khaatumo forces in Shangeed, the contested lands bridging Qorilugud and Buuhoodle. What sparked this newest chapter in a series of territorial skirmishes? Is there more to this than meets the eye? Reports from the ground paint a picture as fragmented as the region itself. While definitive casualty numbers elude confirmation, sources from both factions…

A cool evening breeze whispered through the Garsoor neighborhood in the heart of Galkacyo as chaos erupted under a murky sky. In a clash that echoed like a thunderstorm, two local militias squared off, the night breaking open to the sound of gunfire. It was a Saturday night that the residents of this district in the Mudug region’s bustling capital won't soon forget. The predictable hum of city life gave way to a cacophony of fear and uncertainty. Northeastern State and Galmudug, two regional forces not foreign to the…

Mogadishu (AX) — A balmy Wednesday evening in Halaalay quickly turned into a harrowing scene of battle, leaving at least six people dead by the time the dust settled. This tiny village, nestled near Halgan in Somalia's Hiiraan region, became the latest stage in the enduring drama of power struggles between local defense forces and the relentless Al-Shabaab militants. It seems Somalia's battle with the militant group shows no signs of ending, as accusations, skirmishes, and whispers of turmoil continue to echo across…

There's growing concern in Somali society about how online displays of bravado might teeter dangerously close to hate speech, stirring up long-standing clan rivalries. In Somalia, "The Big Tribal Game" isn't just a pastime—it's practically a cultural phenomenon. This so-called game draws in massive audiences without linking its participants to any form of clan violence. Everywhere you look, thousands of phones light up with this spectacle, not just in Somalia, but across the globe. The typical participants? Enthusiastic…