militant

Assault on Galkayo Central Prison Raises Security Concerns Galkacyo (AX) — In the early hours of Thursday, armed militia engaged in a brazen, coordinated assault on the Galkayo Central Prison. This alarming incident appears to be a calculated effort to extricate inmates, as reported by reliable local sources. The chaos that ensued disrupted the city’s tranquil atmosphere and stirred significant concerns regarding the recurrent breaches of prison security. As gunfire reverberated through the city, it was impossible not to…

US Offers $10 Million Bounty for Al-Shabaab Member Linked to Manda Bay Attack WASHINGTON - In a strategic move that could alter the landscape of the fight against terrorism in East Africa, the United States has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Abdullahi Banati, a high-profile suspect tied to the deadly Manda Bay assault. That brutal attack in 2020, forever marked in history, claimed the lives of three American citizens, including a dedicated serviceman. It was the…

Northeastern State Forces Poised for Final Assault on ISIS BOSASO, Somalia – As the sun rises over the rugged expanse of the Cal-Miskaad mountains, the determination among Northeastern State forces is palpable. Fresh from a string of victories against the entrenched ISIS militants, they now prepare with steely resolve for what promises to be the decisive assault. In recent months, the capabilities of the militants have been significantly diminished. But what, one might ask, remains of their…

Chaos and Courage: The Beledweyne Incident In the early light of Tuesday morning, a sense of tragedy befell the bustling town of Beledweyne, central Somalia. An assault by the notorious group al-Shabaab left a harrowing mark, as life's fragility unfolded with brutal clarity. The attack was marked by a cacophony of chaos—a relentless explosion, a car bomb that disrupted the morning tranquility. This violent prelude allowed militants to breach a local hotel, engaging security forces in an intense confrontation. A moment of…

FILE PHOTO Beledweyne (AX) – In the early morning hours of Tuesday, the usually bustling streets of Beledweyne echoed with the sounds of chaos as the Al-Shabaab terrorist faction launched a brazen and calculated siege on the Cairo Hotel. Nestled within Beledweyne's Howlwadaag neighborhood, the hotel became a not-so-innocent backdrop to a grim narrative, punctuated by a series of explosive car bombs and piercing gunfire. Imagine the bustling city, momentarily stilled by the sudden, violent eruption. Al-Shabaab's approach…

If you listen closely to the quiet whispers of Garowe, there is a transformative energy stirring—a palpable shift etched in the bold directives of Northeastern State’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni. It is not often that leaders meet the crossroads of security and diplomacy with such determined resolve, but, as history unfolds, it seems President Deni is crafting a narrative infused with both rigor and reconciliation. Imagine sitting among the sable-clad traditional elders of Bari, each line on their faces a testament to…

New Developments: UN Extends Sanctions on Al-Shabaab NEW YORK - The ongoing struggle against Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group in Somalia, continues to draw the global community's attention. Recently, the United Nations Security Council made a pivotal decision to extend sanctions against Al-Shabaab with a particular emphasis on clamping down on illegal arms imports and charcoal exports. How do those activities fuel the conflict, and what can be done to curb them? The Security Council, in…

On a somber Monday, news emerged of a decisive U.S. airstrike that eliminated 16 individuals connected to the Islamic State in the rugged terrains of northern Somalia. Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, a spokesperson for Northeastern State's security operations, divulged these details in a candid conversation with VOA's Somali Service. "Our cooperative efforts with international security partners culminated in a strike that decimated not only 16 militants but also two prominent bomb-makers. A crucial bomb factory met…

BOSASO, Somalia - In a meticulously orchestrated strike on the insurgent stronghold of Northeastern State, the United Arab Emirates conducted airstrikes that claimed the lives of over a dozen militants associated with the Islamic State organization. Reports from local military sources on Sunday confirm the fatalities included key figures of the group. Consider, if you will, the strategic precision required for such an operation. The first airstrike targeted the Xankookib caves near Dhasan. In a scene reminiscent of a movie…

Galkayo (AX) — Early Friday morning witnessed a dramatic turn of events in Galkayo when armed clan vigilantes forcefully breached the central prison, focusing their assault on the area under Northeastern State's control. Their mission? To liberate inmates facing execution. This bold move exemplifies the ongoing escalation of clan-related hostilities that continue to shake the fragile peace in Somalia's Mudug region. The resultant chaos saw a firefight break out between the invaders and prison guards, leading to one…