military

Mogadishu (AX) – In an unyielding battle against extremism, the Somali National Army (SNA) has bravely confronted imminent threats, quelling a spree of violence unleashed by Al-Shabaab in the Middle Shabelle region. Who were the faces behind this repelled assault? Five names stand stark on the list of those brought down—gridders of terror no more. Over the past 48 hours, the stage was set in the dust-swept arena of El-Ali Ahmed. The SNA, with staunch resolve, dismantled a lattice of malevolence that sought to unsettle local…

In an unexpected turn of events, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Friday evening the removal of key military figures, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Gen. James Slife, the Air Force's vice chief of staff. This decisive move also impacted senior military legal advisors from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Turmoil at the Pentagon What do these removals signal for the Department of Defense? The Pentagon finds itself at the heart of tumultuous changes, not least due to impending…

Dhusamareb (AX) – In the moonlit tranquillity of a Thursday night, the Somali army, in concert with vigilant local clan militias, set the stage for a deliberate military operation in Dabagalo—a haven nestled within the Harardhere district of the Mudug region. Their mission? To dismantle an Al-Shabaab stronghold that, until then, had been an insidious blight on the community's path. Six militants met their fate, taken down as if they were extensions of the very shadows they sought to exploit. What makes a group of people…

In a meeting that underscores evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, Maj. Gen. Nim’an Yusuf Osman, North Western State of Somalia’s military chieftain, engaged in strategic dialogues with Lt. Gen. Eisa Saif Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. Their discussions centered on military cooperation and fostering robust security partnerships. But what does this mean for the region? Is it the harbinger of newfound alliances or simply another chapter in the storied interaction between…

The military junta, under the leadership of Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, has once again faltered, neglecting another deadline for restoring democracy in Guinea. This delay in the transition to civilian governance was outlined in an agreement forged in 2022 with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), concluding a long, tumultuous year of discussions. The long-awaited process intended to initiate preparations for the 2025 elections had been scheduled to commence on New Year's Day. Yet, instead of rallying the…

Northeastern State Recruits Veteran Strategists as ISIS Conflict Escalates BOSASO, Somalia - Imagine standing at the foothills of the rugged Cal-Miskaad mountains in the Bari region. The air is thick with anticipation and the echoes of past battles. With rising tensions gripping this dynamic landscape, the leadership of the semi-autonomous Northeastern State state has made a strategic move. They are recalling retired military tacticians and strategists, seeking the wisdom of experience in a terrain that shapes…

The shadowed peaks of the Al-Miskaat mountains in the Bari region of Northeastern State conceal a tense drama. Here, far from the bustling towns below, a critical operation unfolds. Experienced military tacticians have joined Northeastern State's forces, charged with the daunting task of eradicating ISIS militants from these rugged terrains. It is no small undertaking and certainly not for the faint-hearted. General Mohamed Hirsi Morgan, a seasoned veteran of the Somali National Army, and General Bashir America, once at the…

In the parched expanses of the Mudug region, Somali government forces and local militias join hands in a seemingly perpetual struggle against Al-Shabaab militants. What drives these valiant efforts to reclaim peace in central Somalia? Their unified offensive endeavors to dismantle entrenched insurgent strongholds while restoring stability in an area besieged by conflict. Mogadishu (AX) – With a mix of strategic prowess and sheer determination, Somali government troops, assisted by local militia, executed a daring raid in…

Could justice really be tangible, a force acting in real-time rather than a theoretical construct? In the heart of Somalia's Bay region, this question found an answer in the rapid administration of justice on a recent gripping occasion. The gritty streets of Baidoa witnessed a somber yet decisive chapter as a military court enforced the law in a bold and unyielding manner. Over the course of two consecutive days, three men met the ultimate penalty for their heinous acts against innocent civilians—an…

Since the military coup in Niger in July 2023, former president Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have remained confined in a distressingly precarious situation. Their prolonged detention serves as a grim reminder of how swiftly political fortunes can shift and the consequent havoc it wreaks on lives. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent authority charged with scrutinizing cases of wrongful confinement, has labeled the incarceration of Bazoum and his spouse as arbitrary. Their conclusion…