military

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a noteworthy pivot, Somalia's government has given the nod for Egyptian forces to step into the shoes of Ethiopian troops in the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), following a significant security agreement inked in August. Villa Somalia has thrown its support behind Egypt to spearhead AUSSOM, prompting Egypt to send preliminary teams to aid the Somali National Army (SNA), focusing on strategic routes often disrupted by the notorious Al-Shabaab militants.…

Egyptian military advisors, instructors, and commandos are assisting Somali forces in battling Al Shabab militants.From left, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Photo: AFPEgypt is amplifying its military presence in Somalia ahead of Ethiopia's December 31 deadline to withdraw, concurrently training and aiding Somali forces against Al Qaeda-affiliated militants, sources revealed to The National on Tuesday.Both Egypt and Somalia, belonging to…

The vibes in Mogadishu (AX) were electric as Somali security operatives in Jubbaland fended off Al-Shabab's attempted raid on Buulo Haji, a key locale near Kismayo, recently freed from the clutches of militants.Major Mohamed Farah Dahir, who speaks for the regional forces in Jubbaland, announced that the militant group struck fiercely at army strongholds near Buulo Haji, only to face a resounding defeat with significant losses. They claimed victory, stating they seized the village and downed six soldiers, but Dahir painted a…

On September 27, tragic news emerged from Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a military airstrike aimed at combating notorious criminal gangs, widely referred to as bandits, resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries among innocent civilians. This grim incident has been reported by various media outlets, with Human Rights Watch highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding. Calls for accountability, unwavering justice, and increased transparency have echoed through the community, yet the echoes seem to fall on deaf…

Soldiers from Somalia's National Army trek across the desert landscapes, carrying out missions against Al-Shabaab insurgents in Bay and Bakool tribal lands. Provided by Somalian authorities.Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali National Army, under the leadership of the audacious 47th Battalion from the 8th Brigade, has amped up its aggressive tactics against Al-Shabaab factions nestled in Bay and Bakool provinces, homing in on pivotal safe havens. These military maneuvers, reaching into Elsharif, Mooro-Busle, and El-Mareere—crucial…

Scenes from Mogadishu reveal the aftermath of a car explosion outside a local café, leaving devastation in its wake. This unsettling event took place on July 15, 2024. In the throes of conflict, 59 militants linked to Al-Shabaab and four brave soldiers have perished during separate military assaults in Somalia's southern and central heartlands, confirmed the nation's Information Ministry, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Entrenched battles against Al-Qaeda-tied Al-Shabaab fighters unfolded as the Somali National Army (SNA),…

Mogadishu (AX) - Somali troops, backed by global allies and local militia, have dispatched at least 59 al-Shabab fighters in a couple of assaults across Galgadud and Middle Shabelle over the past 48 hours.A dispatch from the Ministry of Information on Tuesday revealed that near Garilay in the Galgadud region, 32 militants, among them top brass, were taken out. Meanwhile, in Yaaqle village, close to Hawadlay in Middle Shabelle, 27 more met their demise.The announcement also sadly acknowledged that four soldiers from the…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — According to the Somali Ministry of Information, joint operations by Somali forces, local militias, and international military allies have reportedly taken down 59 Al-Shabaab insurgents in the eastern Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. These endeavors, targeting the dismantling of Al-Shabaab bastions, are closely aligned with a larger strategy to tackle terrorism within Somalia. An intense clash near Cowsweyne in Galgaduud saw 32 Al-Shabaab operatives, among them high-ranking leaders, neutralized.…

Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur announced during a press gathering in Mogadishu that ongoing military efforts are utilizing both ground forces and air strikes to dismantle the infrastructure of the militant group. “On a national scale, the Somali National Army is executing strategic operations aiming to further undermine Al-Shabaab's positions and leadership,” he stated. Regarding the African Union mission in Somalia, he revealed that next year a revamped initiative "will kick off to succeed ATMIS, with Ethiopian…

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, has firmly expressed his disapproval of Egypt's decision to deploy troops for peacekeeping in Somalia. His criticism comes amid discussions focused on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the envisioned African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), stirring the pot regarding Egypt's growing military ambitions in the Horn of Africa. The ongoing reevaluation of peacekeeping strategies in Somalia,…