militants

Nairobi (AX) – In the heart of Mandera County, a shadowy cloud of fear descended as alleged Al-Shabaab insurgents spirited away five local chiefs on Monday. Their journey toward Elwak was abruptly interrupted, sparking concern throughout the region. North Eastern Regional Commissioner, John Otieno, relayed the troubling news, painting a stark picture of areas like Bamba Owla and Ires Suki, known for their vulnerability to militant operations. One might wonder, what drives these menacing forces to such acts of aggression? The…

Kismayo (AX) – On a quiet Sunday night, the streets of Kismayo, a city historically marked by its tranquil vistas, were momentarily disturbed as the echoes of a decisive encounter reverberated through. Jubbaland's elite special forces, vigilant and unyielding, had orchestrated a precise operation that culminated in the neutralization of two Al-Shabaab operatives, taking a third into custody. But what unfolded was not just a story of numbers; it was a narrative deeply ingrained in the battle against shadowy foes. The trio…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a bold declaration of determination, a high-ranking security officer in Somalia has articulated the resolve of Northeastern State forces in their campaign against the ISIS militants entrenched in the Al-Miskaad mountains of the Bari region. With "Operation Hilaac"—translated as "Lightning"—set in motion, the officer confidently forecasts the eventual defeat of these militant factions. Recent days have seen the forces successfully displace the insurgents from Turmasaale, an area deemed strategically…

International Operation Yields Major Arrests in East Africa Mogadishu, a city often beset by the shadows of conflict, has borne witness to an unfolding drama of international significance. In a concerted effort to stem the tide of extremism, 37 individuals have been apprehended under a sweeping counterterrorism initiative orchestrated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL. Their offenses? Alleged associations with infamous entities like Al-Shabaab, ISIS, and other radical factions that haunt the East…

Mogadishu—In the ever-bustling heart of Somalia's capital, an unsettling skirmish unfolded on Monday when Somali police encountered two Al-Shabaab militants. It happened in the Deyniile district, a place often tinged with tension yet alive with the daily hum of city life. The two militants dared to disrupt this environment, prompting the local security forces to spring into action. Have you ever wondered how these urban terrains suddenly transform into battlegrounds? It was in the Issa Abdi neighborhood where these men,…

Under the dappled shadows of Hiiraan's rugged terrain, the Somali army, on a recent Tuesday, carried out a decisive operation that led to the demise of 16 al-Shabab militants. This audacious move marks yet another stride in the relentless campaign against the al-Qaeda-linked insurgents that have haunted the region for years. It’s a scene reminiscent of a high-stakes chess game, where each move carries the weight of potential calm or chaos. The state-run outlet, SONNA, brought these developments into the public eye,…

Mogadishu (AX) — A sense of tenuous peace lingers in the Hiiraan region of Somalia after a clangorous clash between federal forces, their local allies, and the militant group Al-Shabaab. In a daring mission, more than 40 members of the al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgents met their demise, a stark testament to the volatile struggle for control shaping Somalia's heartlands. The Ministry of Defense announced this significant blow to Al-Shabaab on Tuesday, foreshadowing the ebb and flow of conflict yet to come. Under the harsh…

WASHINGTON — It was a grim scene over two relentless days of tumult in Somalia’s Northeastern State territory where recent skirmishes claimed the lives of over 20 individuals and left a further ten nursing battle scars. The security forces clashed with Islamic State insurgents in a fierce showdown, as shared by officials on Tuesday. Speaking to VOA’s Somali Service, the steely Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, who orchestrates Northeastern State's security responses, painted a stark picture of the skirmish. He…

Galkayo (AX) — In the jagged and rugged terrain of the Cal Miskaad Mountains, a tale of dogged determination and modern-day warfare unfolded as Northeastern State's forces pulled off a commendable feat—seizing not one or two, but eight unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, in their relentless campaign against extremism. Dubbed "Operation Hilaac," this initiative aims to dismantle the entrenched ISIS foothold in Balli-Dhidin—a remote launchpad for their audacious endeavors. As the Northeastern State Minister of Information,…

The ever-ongoing battle against terrorism took a significant turn in southern Somalia as US forces joined hands with the Somali army to take down ten members of the al-Shabab terrorist group. This joint operation was confirmed by US African Command (Africom), who also disclosed the recent demise of a senior militant figure, Mohamed Mire, in the tumultuous Jubaland region. Working closely together, these teams struck a heavy blow to those who perpetuate violence and chaos in the region. It was in the small hamlet of Beer…