intensify

MOGADISHU — Analysis U.S. Africa Command signaled a broader play in Somalia that reaches beyond counterterrorism. Lt. Gen. John Brennan, AFRICOM’s deputy commander, said Washington’s presence and operations could extend into trade and investment, citing untapped Somali resources on land and offshore. His framing underscores a shift: pairing security assistance with private capital to help stabilize a country long defined by conflict and commercial risk. Brennan argued that chronic insecurity has kept Somalis from benefiting…

European leaders took the stage ahead of Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, seeking to present a united front as the U.S. president dangled tariff threats in a bid to pressure the European Union over Greenland. Trump is set to dominate the week at the Swiss ski resort, with a large U.S. delegation already promoting an “America First” agenda that runs against the grain of the global order cherished by the WEF. He will deliver a speech tomorrow and participate in other events on Thursday. European Commission…

UN warns Yemen crisis set to worsen in 2026 as funding dries up, food insecurity deepens GENEVA — The United Nations warned Friday that Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is poised to intensify in 2026, with deepening food insecurity and a looming collapse in health support as international aid falters. Julien Harneis, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said the situation is “very, very concerning” and risks slipping off the global radar until deaths surge. He told reporters in Geneva that the country faces a…

Somalia graduates new Gorgor Special Forces at TURKSOM as push against al-Shabab builds MOGADISHU — Somalia on Thursday graduated new units of its elite Gorgor Special Forces after completing training at the TURKSOM Military Training Academy, a milestone officials framed as pivotal to intensifying military operations against al-Shabab in the south. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, speaking at the ceremony, praised Somali National Army (SNA) leadership for sustained efforts to professionalize the force and strengthen…

Saudi Arabia called Saturday for talks among rival southern Yemeni factions amid fresh clashes in the resource-rich Hadramawt province, where the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) has seized wide stretches of territory in recent weeks. In a statement posted to social media, the Saudi foreign ministry urged “a comprehensive conference in Riyadh to bring together all southern factions to discuss just solutions to the southern cause.” Riyadh said the Yemeni government had issued the invitation for…

Monday December 15, 2025 Federal agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including Homeland Security Investigations officers, stand outside a restaurant during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. CREDIT: Councilmember Jason Chavez As ICE raids intensify in Minnesota, Somali families in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside, along Lake Street and in Rochester are quietly drawing up “know your rights” plans—teaching children not to open doors to strangers, memorizing key phone numbers and gathering…

Somalia deploys newly trained Custodial Corps to front lines as fight with al‑Shabab intensifies MOGADISHU — Somalia has rushed newly trained members of its Custodial Corps to embattled front lines, a sign of how the government is widening its war effort as clashes with al‑Shabab escalate across the country’s south and center. Maj. Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Aden, who commands the corps, said Tuesday the fresh contingent will reinforce units already engaged in the field and help “hold the line” in contested areas. “The new…

Malawi Awaits Election Results as Tallying Continues; Calls for Calm Grow Louder Malawi is holding its breath as the Electoral Commission continues to collate votes from last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, with preliminary figures showing former president Peter Mutharika edging ahead of incumbent Lazarus Chakwera. The slow, painstaking work of validating and consolidating tallies across the country has produced a mix of anxiety and cautious appeals for calm from political leaders and the electoral…

In the Shadows of Conflict: Somalia's Ongoing Battle Against Terrorism As the sun rises over the arid landscapes of Somalia, a dual battle rages on—one against the unforgiving elements of nature and the other against the relentless tide of terrorism. The struggle to fortify this fragile nation against factions like Al-Shabaab and ISIS has intensified, drawing not just the resolve of local forces but also the strategic intervention of international allies, particularly the United States. Demonstrating Resilience The U.S.…

Somalia: Northeastern State Forces Turn Up the Heat on ISIS as Fighters Confront a Surrender Deadline AXADLE, Somalia — With a ticking clock of 72 hours, Northeastern State's defense forces have thrown down the gauntlet to Islamic State (ISIS) members cornered in the Baallade valley, urging them to yield without conflict or brace for an all-out military assault. These militants, entrapped in their cavern hideaways, are at a crossroads, warned that this might be their last chance to dodge a violent outcome. A multilingual…