forces

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army, with precise air support from U.S. forces, took down a minimum of ten Al-Shabaab militants in a planned assault around the Berhani region, approximately 35 kilometers from Kismayo, according to security insiders on Sunday. The collaborative mission was executed to thwart an impending Al-Shabaab offensive, as insiders revealed. Intelligence reports identified this outpost as a staging ground for their forthcoming attacks on Somali military targets. “This strike signals to…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a generous gesture, Japan has equipped Somalia's Police Force's Mine Action Unit with essential gear aimed at boosting their ability to spot and defuse bombs, a move aimed at bolstering safety and security across the nation.On a bustling Thursday in Mogadishu, Somali Police Chief Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi accepted the donated arsenals and praised Japan's significant contribution. "We cannot thank Japan enough for providing this crucial support," he expressed. "This donation is a fundamental…

FILE PHOTO Mogadishu (AX) — On a sunny Saturday, word got out that the Somali federal government had ramped up its military presence in the El-Wak district, nestled in the Gedo region. The tension with Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe has simmered without resolution, leading to this decisive move, insiders confirmed. Swooping in like a determined flock, troops from the Somali National Army’s 43rd Division have dug in, readying themselves for upcoming clashes against the ever-persistent al-Shabab insurgents spread across…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior official has revealed that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) won't be involved in Somalia's upcoming peacekeeping efforts. This could spark yet another prolonged clash that might hinder efforts to build the state. As of January 2025, a brand new mission is planned to roll out, replacing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), it will feature a leaner troop presence. Bitterness is…

Security experts in Nigeria are on high alert following warnings from defense officials about an emerging insurgency linked to a group known as the Lakurawas, predominantly active in the northwest region. Major General Edward Buba, who serves as the military's spokesperson, has been tight-lipped about any significant attacks that may have been conducted by this group. Reports from local news outlets, however, have surfaced indicating that Lakurawas have been demanding cattle in return for so-called "protection." This…

FILE - Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama – Official X account There's a significant shake-up brewing with Somalia's stance on engagement in regional security. In a strategic twist reported by Hiiran, November 2024, the Somali government intends to shut the door on Ethiopian military participation in the upcoming African Union mission. This mission, slated to kick off in January 2025, is set to take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Explaining this landmark decision on…

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…