In a significant escalation of military efforts, the U.S. and Nigerian forces have launched new airstrikes against militant groups in northern Nigeria, occurring shortly after the announcement regarding the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a prominent figure within these insurgent factions. According to a recent statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the airstrikes were executed on Sunday and specifically targeted ISIS militants. Notably, there were no reported casualties among either U.S. or Nigerian military…

More than 200 civilians held by an armed group tied to the Islamic State in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been freed in a joint military operation, officials said, marking one of the largest recent rescues in the volatile region. Ugandan forces, operating alongside the Congolese army, struck a camp run by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant organization that originated in Uganda. The Ugandan People's Defense Forces (UPDF) said the raid targeted the ADF, a Ugandan group active in eastern Congo…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali forces and Jubaland security units launched a major offensive in southern Somalia on Wednesday, targeting al-Shabab fighters in a coordinated ground-and-air operation, the government said. According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, the assault unfolded in areas of the districts of Jilib, Xagar, and Afmadow, with troops pushing into villages including Waraha Qalley, Farshabeel, Jigees, Qaawiley, and Weelmaarow. The ministry said the operation was backed by airstrikes carried out with support from…

AU commander tours recaptured Somali town of Mubarak after joint offensive against al-Shabab MOGADISHU — The commander of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on Friday visited the newly secured town of Mubarak in Lower Shabelle to assess troop readiness after a joint operation that pushed al-Shabab fighters from key positions south of Mogadishu. Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma toured security positions in and around Mubarak with senior Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) commanders, meeting soldiers…

Friday February 20, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s new army chief met senior African Union leadership in Mogadishu to tighten battlefield coordination and accelerate the country’s Security Transition Plan as Somali forces prepare a renewed push against al-Shabab following Ramadan. Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, commander of the Somali National Army (SNA), hosted a closed-door session at army headquarters with Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the Special Representative of the African Union and head of the…

Somali, AU forces kill more than 30 al-Shabaab militants in joint strikes near Bulunugaad MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali and African Union forces, alongside Ugandan troops, killed more than 30 al-Shabaab militants and wounded several others in coordinated air and ground strikes in southern Somalia on Thursday, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said. The operation, conducted near the Bulunugaad forward operating base in Lower Shabelle and supported by international partners, targeted entrenched al-Shabaab positions…

Hamas backs technocratic committee for post-war Gaza as ceasefire advances to second stage A senior Hamas official has welcomed the creation of a technocratic committee to administer post-war Gaza, framing the step as vital to consolidating the fragile ceasefire and preventing a slide back into fighting. Egypt, a mediator in indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, announced the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee. The body would operate under the overall supervision of a so-called “Board of…

Yemen cancels defense pact with UAE, orders 24-hour troop withdrawal after alleged STC arms shipment Nationwide state of emergency declared for 90 days; 72-hour air and land ban on ports and border crossings Saudi-led coalition says it carried out a “limited” strike on two ships in Mukalla port Yemeni government backs move; UAE offers no immediate comment Yemen on Tuesday scrapped a joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates and ordered all Emirati forces to leave the country within 24 hours, escalating a rift…

In 2018, Qatar and Somalia inked a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a joint supreme committee, marking a pivotal step to enhance collaboration between the two nations. Fast-forward to a recent pivotal meeting, almost four months post the Somali Diaspora Conference in July over in Qatar. This gathering was squarely focused on tackling the array of challenges faced by Somalia. The dialogues spanned from education and entrepreneurship to cultural identity, youth empowerment, and fostering economic investments in Somalia.…

Somali Security Forces and African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officers banded together for a five-day course designed to up their game in coordinating joint efforts against Al-Shabaab. The training zeroed in on bettering communication, strategic planning, and info-swapping at the Joint Operations Centres (JOCs), which are key to smashing mission goals. CREDIT/ ATMISMogadishu (AX) — Twenty-six officers from Somali Security Forces (SSF) and ATMIS wrapped up a five-day training last week, polishing their skills to…