Fatalities

WASHINGTON — It was a grim scene over two relentless days of tumult in Somalia’s Northeastern State territory where recent skirmishes claimed the lives of over 20 individuals and left a further ten nursing battle scars. The security forces clashed with Islamic State insurgents in a fierce showdown, as shared by officials on Tuesday. Speaking to VOA’s Somali Service, the steely Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, who orchestrates Northeastern State's security responses, painted a stark picture of the skirmish. He…

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…

In an urgent response to the raging Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, helicopters dropped water and fire retardant on the steep terrains, aiming to curtail its unsettling eastward advance. The intensity of firefighting on the ground has surged dramatically, especially with wind gusts poised to reach a staggering 113 km/h, posing an additional peril to containment efforts. Tragically, the consequences of these wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least 16 individuals, leaving neighborhoods devastated and pushing…

Recently, the Los Angeles area has been ravaged by wildfires, tragically claiming at least ten lives and leaving nearly 10,000 structures in ruins. As five fires, fueled by unrelenting desert winds, continue raging into a third night, the situation remains dire. The Palisades Fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, along with the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, has become infamous for their destruction, marking them as some of the most catastrophic blazes in Los Angeles history. These infernos have already scorched over…

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has mobilized a specialized team to undertake an extensive investigation into the troubling situation at Lake Chivero, where recent reports of fish and wildlife fatalities have emerged due to pollution. This urgent action comes in light of the serious pollution crisis impacting Lake Chivero, the main source of water for Harare. This contamination has tragically led to the deaths of not only four white rhinoceroses and three zebras but also various bird species…

In a rare and violent escalation, an Israeli strike in the heart of Beirut claimed the life of Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, Hezbollah's chief spokesperson, on Sunday. Meanwhile, tensions also flared in northern Gaza, where an airstrike in Beit Lahiya left at least 30 dead, according to the local hospital director speaking to The Associated Press. Hezbollah acknowledged al-Naboulsi's death in a statement, noting that he was killed at the Arab Socialist Baath Party's headquarters. Al-Naboulsi had gained prominence when tensions…

According to the Lebanese health ministry, an Israeli airstrike claimed the lives of 20 individuals, including three children, in the village of Almat, situated just north of Beirut. Almat, primarily a Shia Muslim community, is nestled within a predominantly Christian area. It lies outside Hezbollah's usual territories, which are centered around southern Beirut and parts of southern and eastern Lebanon. These areas have faced intense bombardment from Israel since the end of September as part of its ongoing military campaign…

Government and Al-Shabaab Forces Clash, Resulting in Loss of 11 Soldiers in Southern Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — A fierce firefight near Wayaanta, some 60 kilometers from Kismayo, claimed the lives of at least 11 soldiers from both Somali regional and federal units on Wednesday. The area, located in the state of Jubaland, became a hotbed of violence as government troops clashed with al-Shabaab insurgents. Anonymously, three officials disclosed that the skirmish not only fatally impacted the forces but also left…

Rescue teams have resumed their somber search for the deceased as Spain scrambles to provide assistance to its citizens devastated by catastrophic floods that have claimed over 200 lives. With each passing day, the hope of discovering survivors dwindles. More than three days have elapsed since torrential mud-laden waters engulfed towns and devastated infrastructure, marking this as Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in a televised statement that an additional 10,000 troops…

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported a devastating toll of at least 60 fatalities resulting from Israeli airstrikes across various locations in the eastern Bekaa Valley, with the majority occurring in the Baalbek area. This tragic count encompasses incidents in 12 different regions within the Bekaa Valley, an area heavily influenced by the militant group Hezbollah. Disturbingly, the health ministry confirmed that among the deceased, there were at least two children, further highlighting the human cost of the conflict.…