forces

Rising Tensions and Targeted Operations: The Complex Landscape of U.S. Involvement in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — The landscape of international military engagement is shifting yet again, as U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) recently reported an indirect fire attack targeting American troops stationed near Kismayo, a pivotal city in southern Somalia. While the immediate aftermath yielded no reported casualties or damage, the significance of this incident extends beyond mere statistics, revealing a complex tapestry of local…

Out in the Open: Somalia’s Displaced Families Wait for Help That Isn’t Coming At first light on the outskirts of Afgoye, the land looks deceptively generous—open sky, a stretch of scrubland, a hint of green beyond the road. Then you notice the mats laid directly on the earth, the improvised shelters of sticks and cloth, and children cupping their hands for sips of water measured out like medicine. This is where hundreds of families displaced by fighting in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region have gathered, waiting for…

Somalia's Puntland State Forces Stand Strong in the Fight Against ISIS BOSASO, Somalia - As the desolate sands of the Cal-Miskaad mountains stretch across northeastern Somalia, a determined wave of Puntland State forces is rewriting the confrontational narrative that has marred this region for years. Following the activation of Operation Hillaac, these brave soldiers have engaged ISIS militants in a series of decisive clashes, culminating in a sustained offensive that has intensified in recent weeks. Strategic Gains in a…

Egyptian Troops Deploy to Somalia: A New Chapter in Regional Dynamics MOGADISHU, Somalia – As the sun rises over the verdant hills of Middle Shabelle, a new chapter is unfolding in Somalia's ongoing battle against the militant group Al-Shabaab. Egyptian troops have joined the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) to help restore peace in a region that has long felt the heavy hand of violence. This moment, however, carries complexities that resonate far beyond the borders of Somalia as geopolitical…

Mandera’s uneasy morning: Allegations of Jubaland training on Kenyan soil test a fragile border On a normal school day, the dusty yard of Border Point 1 Primary in Mandera Town would fill with children in blue uniforms and plastic sandals, their chalkboards listing multiplication tables and Swahili proverbs. Instead, the gates are shut. And this week, the school became the unexpected center of a regional security storm when Mandera County officials alleged that Jubaland regional forces from Somalia are training there—inside…

Kenyan Governor Demands Pullout of Jubaland Troops From Mandera, Citing Threat to Sovereignty NAIROBI — Tension along Kenya’s northeastern frontier flared Friday as Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif accused Somalia’s Jubaland forces of setting up inside Mandera Town and demanded their immediate withdrawal, warning that the incursion endangered residents and tested Kenya’s sovereignty. Speaking at a public gathering in the border county where Kenya meets both Somalia and Ethiopia, Khalif said a group of Jubaland fighters…

Somali Forces Foil Roadside Bombing in Lower Shabelle: A Triumph in Ongoing Conflict In the sunbaked landscape of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, the rhythm of daily life was suddenly disrupted this past Saturday. Members of the Somali National Army's 14th October Battalion, led by the vigilant Brig. Gen. Abdirahin Mohamed Munye, safely intercepted a deadly roadside bomb intended to wreak havoc in the district of Janaale. This decisive action reflects the persistent challenges faced in a nation long-scarred by conflict and…

U.S. Military Aids Northeastern State in Battle Against ISIS: A Complex Alliance BOSASO, Somalia - The rugged terrain of Somalia’s Al-Miskad Mountains echoes with the relentless pursuit of ISIS militants as the U.S. Africa Command intensifies its airstrikes alongside the Northeastern State Counter-Terrorism Forces. This marks another chapter in the sustained effort to dismantle ISIS from the Horn of Africa, where pockets of militant resistance persist. The Joint Efforts It all began in December 2024 when U.S. Africa…

Egypt's New Military Presence in Somalia: A Strategic Shift in the Horn of Africa MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a move signaling changing tides in Horn of Africa politics, Egypt is stepping up its military partnership with Somalia. This development has implications far beyond the immediate region, marking a crucial phase in Egypt's geopolitical maneuvering. Changing Dynamics in the Horn of Africa Egypt's decision to deploy troops to Somalia as part of the African Union's Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) is not just about…

The Role of Egyptian Troops in Somalia’s Fight Against Terrorism In an increasingly interconnected world, terrorism knows no borders. Somalia, a nation long tormented by the extremist group al-Shabab, is now bolstering its defense forces with a fresh wave of support from Egypt, marking a significant development in the African Union’s ongoing peace and stabilization efforts. A New Chapter in Somali-Egyptian Collaboration At the heart of this strategic alliance is the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission…