forces

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant move, the Somali government recently declared that Ethiopian forces would be sidelined from the forthcoming African Union mission, which is set to replace the existing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, ATIMS, by January 2025.Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama shared this pivotal decision during a chat with Somali National Television, highlighting Ethiopia's purported breach of Somalia’s sovereignty as a key reason for their exclusion."Ethiopian forces have been…

FILE - In Nairobi, on a heated June day in 2024, Kenyan anti-riot police detained a protester.NAIROBI, KENYA — On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch pointed fingers at Kenyan security forces, accusing them of abducting, torturing, and killing individuals believed to be the masterminds behind anti-government protests from June to August.Reports emerged that these security personnel unlawfully detained abductees in off-the-grid locations like dense forests and deserted buildings, cutting them off from family and legal support.Mary…

The leader of Hezbollah recently stated that his organization possesses an impressive number of fighters, claiming tens of thousands are primed for battle. He emphasized that no part of Israel is off-limits when it comes to their potential operations. For over a year now, Israel and the Iran-supported Hezbollah have been locked in a cycle of violence, which has intensified alongside the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since late September, the situation has taken a more serious turn, with Israeli forces launching airstrikes…

Why the UN isn't Dropping Boots in Sudan Anytime Soon NAIROBI, Kenya - The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has voiced concerns over the viability of dispatching UN Forces to Sudan. He has implored the Security Council to safeguard civilians amidst the turmoil. The UN Security Council has the heavy task of deciding when and where to send peacekeeping forces. However, they haven't made a move in five years as the conflict heats up in the Horn of Africa. "Sudan's people are enduring horrendous…

According to recent reports, the UK armed forces are poised to receive a substantial £3 billion boost. This financial injection comes as Rachel Reeves gears up to present the Labour government’s inaugural Budget. Diving into the details, the Chancellor plans to delineate an uptick in defence spending for the upcoming year during her address in the House of Commons. A portion of this windfall will be earmarked for a pay increase for soldiers retroactively effective from April, as noted by the Telegraph. Additionally, these…

Mogadishu (AX) — Things are heating up in Yaqbariweyne as the South West State troops gear up to take on local militias, stirring worries of a fresh conflict over who calls the shots and collects taxes in the area.Folks in Yaqbariweyne have mentioned that both factions are on high alert, causing the local populace to brace for what might come. Eyes and ears on the ground hint that the South West forces are keen on tightening their grip on the town, which has, for the past few months, been pretty much under the thumb of armed…

Families uprooted by crop failures are seeking sanctuary in makeshift camps on the fringes of Baidoa. A harsh drought in Southwest Somalia has compelled over 120 families to forsake their farms and way of life, enduring severe conditions in rudimentary shelters. Image: Radio Ergo Mogadishu (AX) — Jinay Isaaq Hassan spent her days in the quaint village of Mintaanyo, diligently working her six-hectare farm while raising her children. However, her life took a drastic turn earlier this year. The life-giving rains failed to…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali government announced Thursday that its esteemed Danab Commando Force successfully executed a strategic operation in the Galgadud region, taking down a dozen al-Shabab militants and injuring 12 more. This meticulously planned strike occurred in the Gerile area within the Eldher district, a known hideout for fighters plotting their next moves, as they lurked, "fangs sharpened," ready to strike. The government's statement triumphantly noted, "Twelve insurgents met their end, while 22 others…

For more than ten years, the most harmful weapons wielded by terrorists in Somalia have been improvised explosive devices (IEDs), impacting countless Soldiers and civilians alike. According to Action on Armed Violence, a UK-based organization that monitors civilian-targeted armed violence globally, over 14,000 individuals have been affected—injured or killed—by IEDs set by al-Shabaab since 2014. Astonishingly, 61% of those affected were civilians. In the past year, IEDs have claimed or injured 1,500 lives in Somalia,…

Nairobi (AX) — On Tuesday, Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia warmly endorsed the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is set to take over from the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) come January 2025. President Mohamud was in Kenya from October 21st to 22nd, continuing a regional tour of nations contributing troops to ATMIS. Their discussions hovered over challenges and opportunities in stabilizing Somalia and the…