military

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen met Tuesday with a Turkish military delegation led by Brig. Gen. Sebahattin, commander of Turkey’s Turksom Military Training Academy, to deepen security cooperation and expand training for Somali forces operating in the region, officials said. The talks at the presidential palace in Baidoa centered on accelerating military training programs, improving operational capacity and sharpening coordination between Somali units and Turkish trainers.…

A Surge of Coups in Africa: Understanding the "Coup Belt" Eight African countries are currently under military rule, an alarming situation that has intensified recently. Within just eight weeks, two successful coups and one foiled attempt have unfolded, raising concerns that a new dimension of instability is emerging in Africa’s political landscape. This phenomenon has led to the emergence of a "coup belt" stretching across the continent, particularly concentrated in the predominantly French-speaking Sahel region. Jakkie…

Europe is bringing back the citizen-soldier. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a growing number of European governments have moved to reintroduce conscription or expand voluntary national service, reversing three decades of reliance on smaller, professional armies. Germany and France are the latest to join the shift, betting that wider training for young adults is the fastest way to rebuild reserves, harden deterrence and prepare for a long era of insecurity. The trend marks a significant recalibration.…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — U.S. Africa Command has intensified airstrikes in Somalia, pushing the annual tally to 109 and signaling a stepped-up campaign against al-Shabaab and ISIS militants in coordination with state forces in Puntland State and Jubaland. AFRICOM said multiple operations between Nov. 26 and Nov. 28 struck ISIS positions in the rugged Calmiskaad mountains of Puntland State, roughly 37 miles from Bosaso, the region’s commercial hub. The mountainous redoubt has long provided militants with cover and access to…

You are an elite, award-winning international journalist and a meticulous senior editor. Your job is to transform raw source material into a publish-ready article that meets the highest AP-standard editorial and technical requirements. PHASE 1 — ANALYSIS AND FORMAT DECISION Read the source text thoroughly. Identify the core themes, dominant purpose, crucial facts, data points, and human or structural angles. Based solely on this analysis, select exactly one article format from the list below. Always choose Football…

North Western State of Somalia on edge as rival elders mobilize after Borama killings; military probes claims of foreign snipers HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Fears of clan conflict surged Sunday in North Western State of Somalia’s western regions after rival elders in Awdal and Salal declared they were prepared for war, while the military said it is investigating reports that “foreign shooters” may have killed civilians during unrest in Borama. The warnings followed the government’s decision to cancel the Issa…

Benin Military Ousts President Talon in Sudden Coup In a shocking turn of events, the government of Benin was upended early Sunday morning as military personnel took to public television to declare the removal of President Patrice Talon. The self-proclaimed Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) announced that Talon would be replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who will now lead the committee. The military's dramatic announcement has sent ripples through West Africa, raising concerns about stability in a region…

Galgaduud court hands down death sentence in Guricel businessman killing A regional military court in central Somalia sentenced a 20-year-old man to death on Wednesday for the fatal shooting of a well-known businessman in the town of Guricel two days earlier, court officials said. The Galgaduud regional military court found Abdifitaah Ali Hassan Diiriye guilty in the killing of 37-year-old entrepreneur Deeq Abdi Jama. The verdict was announced by the court’s chairman, Lawyer Hassan Abdullahi Ali. The case centers on…

Airstrikes Reported on Al-Shabaab-Held Jamame as Somali Forces Advance KISMAYO, Somalia — Multiple airstrikes struck the Al-Shabaab-held town of Jamame in Lower Jubba on Friday, local sources and witnesses said, coming during a coordinated operation that included ground actions by the Somali National Army (SNA) and allied regional forces. What happened Residents and local media reported a series of precision strikes on positions in Jamame. Some accounts identified the strikes as being carried out with support from the US…

Tragedy Strikes Amid Recruitment Drive in Accra In a devastating turn of events, at least six individuals lost their lives in a stampede at a sports stadium in Accra during a Ghanaian Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise. As the day was meant to represent opportunity for many, it quickly spiraled into chaos, reflecting the urgent need for safety protocols and effective crowd management. The Onset of Tragedy The scene at the stadium was one of eager anticipation, yet it transformed into tragedy when a surge of…