forces

Somali forces press offensive in central region, claim dozens of al-Shabaab fighters killed MOGADISHU — Somali National Army units, backed by international partners, said they killed a number of al-Shabaab militants over the weekend in a pitched battle in central Somalia’s Galgaduud region as government forces step up efforts to wrest control of towns and villages from the insurgents. Fighting in Nooleye In a statement, the Somali defence ministry said the operation in and around Nooleye village lasted several hours and…

Egypt announces troop deployment to Somalia, intensifying Horn of Africa contest Egypt has announced it will deploy troops to Somalia under a bilateral security agreement, a move Cairo says is intended to bolster counter‑terrorism operations and help stabilize the war‑torn Horn of Africa nation. Officials described the steps as the completion of planning for the deployment, but they provided few operational details, leaving open questions about the size, mandate and timetable of the force. What Cairo says Egyptian…

Political Heat, Border Anxiety: Who’s Really in Mandera? In the dusty markets and sparser stretches of Kenya’s northeastern frontier, a debate that began as a whisper has become a roar — and it is testing the fragile seam where local livelihoods, national politics and regional security meet. This week Nairobi dismissed claims that troops from Somalia’s Jubaland state were operating inside Mandera County, calling them “baseless rumours.” But the dispute has already deepened distrust between residents, county leaders and the…

Somalia says 12 al-Shabaab fighters killed in Galguduud raid as forces press pursuit toward El-Buur Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Friday it killed at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters, including what it described as senior figures, during a raid on a militant training site in the country’s central Galguduud region. The operation, conducted with unspecified international partners, also wounded 13 others and sent surviving militants fleeing toward the El-Buur district, according to the agency. What…

Wars of Words: The Perils of Peace Talks in Ukraine The geopolitical chess game unfolding in Ukraine finds its latest moves defined by the stark statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the collective determination of Western nations. These two forces are now at odds, revealing the complexities of an unsolved conflict where peace seems a distant mirage. Putin's Stark Warning In a compelling declaration at an economic forum in Vladivostok, President Putin issued a strong warning: any Western troops deployed to…

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…