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Beledweyne (AX) — Standing at the confluence of strategic river routes, the heart of Jicibow has emerged from its recent turmoil as Somali National Army (SNA) forces, accompanied by intrepid local allies, plant their sovereign flag over the town. After a prolonged and grueling conflict that shook the Hiiraan region's very foundation, the tenacious forces prevailed against the unyielding insurgency of Al-Shabaab on Thursday. Why Jicibow? Why now? To the unconcerned eye, Jicibow is but a speck on the…

Mogadishu (AX) — A balmy Wednesday evening in Halaalay quickly turned into a harrowing scene of battle, leaving at least six people dead by the time the dust settled. This tiny village, nestled near Halgan in Somalia's Hiiraan region, became the latest stage in the enduring drama of power struggles between local defense forces and the relentless Al-Shabaab militants. It seems Somalia's battle with the militant group shows no signs of ending, as accusations, skirmishes, and whispers of turmoil continue to echo across…

Hey there! In an exciting development, Somali government forces, teaming up with local militias, have successfully reclaimed important territories in Hiiraan from the clutches of Al-Shabaab militants. This victory marks a significant step forward in the nationwide mission to dismantle the hold of this extremist group.Beera Yabaal, Jibibow, Biya Madoobe, and Arooso—these liberated towns along the lifeline that is the Shabelle River—carry immense strategic importance for Al-Shabaab. Nestled between Buulaburte and Halgan…

Over a bustling weekend, Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, found himself deep in conversation with prominent figures like US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. These chats centered around the ever-shifting dynamics of regional happenings and the potential pathways to strengthen bilateral ties. In a dialogue on January 4th, Abdelatty and Blinken honed in on the turmoil in Gaza and the messy quagmire that is the Syrian crisis. Abdelatty did not mince words, asserting…

Regional Backing Soars as Northeastern State Readies for Militant Showdown BOSASO, Somalia - Shortly after marking a significant triumph against ISIS forces, Northeastern State has begun rallying its local populace in preparation for major military action targeting insurgents entrenched in the Bari region's rugged terrains. The residents of the area have started rallying behind the forces as they prepare for an extensive assault on the ISIS faction. The Al-Shabaab and ISIS factions hold fort in the craggy landscapes of the…

Chapter One: Setting the Scene In federations, deciding the power equilibrium between national and regional entities is crucial. Federalism’s very essence is harmonizing centralized power with regional autonomy, knitting a nation together while catering to local needs. Somalia’s 2012 Provisional Constitution left major power-sharing questions open. Check Article 50: power is doled out to the level of government where it'll do the most good, aiming for fair resource chops and responsibilities between Somalia’s Federal…

Mogadishu (AX) — In an intriguing twist of the political narrative, Somalia's top brass have inked a deal to undertake municipal elections by June 2025, to be trailed by parliamentary polls in the September of the same year. This was unveiled in a statement from the National Consultative Council (NCC) this past Wednesday.Underscoring the significance of transparent polls sprouting from a multi-party framework, the NCC rallied for empowering Somali folks to handpick their own delegates. Urgency clings to legislation related…

Mogadishu (AX) — Sarah Mohamed Khalif, a Belgian with Somali roots, has once again secured a spot on Leuven's city council. Her election marks a continued path-breaking journey in the European political scene. Notably, she remains the first Somali, Muslim, and immigrant woman to achieve this milestone, winning a second term after a tenacious campaign. During her inaugural term, Sarah allied with the Vooruit party, aiming to cultivate a more inclusive Leuven. Her focus centered on enhancing social services for the…

Military bigwigs running the show reported that they tore down fortified spots and obliterated prime hideouts in the village, effectively throwing a wrench into Al-Shabaab's plans to launch attacks nearby. They said this capture is a turning point in the two-year mission to kick Al-Shabaab out of Mudug. Somali forces have been in the thick of action, constantly working to free areas from Al-Shabaab’s grip. Snagging Baraag Ali-Gaduud marks not just a tactical victory but also a strategic leap in the grand scheme of securing…

Muse Bihis Kulmiye on the verge of winning Somaliland's local votes HARGEISA, Somalia - The ruling Kulmiye party is on the verge of winning a majority in Somaliland's parliamentary and civic votes, based on the results released by the region's electoral commission . For the first time in history, at least 1 million voters got a chance to vote for their leaders in the secessionist region of…