Mogadishu

Somalia Pulls Plug on Drones Near Mogadishu Airport Due to Al-Shabaab Threat MOGADISHU, Somalia - Worried about potential trouble stirred by Al-Shabaab, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) slammed the brakes on drone operations within a stone's throw—9 kilometers—of Aden Adde International Airport (a.k.a. Mogadishu Airport). Fingers pointed at caution, given the militants' pesky attacks. The move aims to keep this bustling air hub—Somalia's top dog in airports—safe from sinister plots. It's no secret that…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, on Sunday broke ground for the revamp of Mogadishu's iconic football stadium. This project, energized by youth-led investments, aims to breathe new life into the sports venue with a rejuvenated pitch, basketball courts, and a brand-new swimming pool. The Prime Minister emphasized that the stadium's renovation isn't merely about sprucing up a playing field. He said, "Transforming Stadium Mogadishu is about sparking national progress. The facelift will…

Mogadishu (AX) — Kenya Airways is poised to hit the brakes on all its flights ferrying passengers to Mogadishu, Somalia, starting on October 14, 2024. The decision, attributed to some gnarly operational hiccups, was splashed across a letter by the airline’s honcho, Allan Kilavuka. This communiqué, dated October 9, 2024, was penned to Mohamed Daghar, the Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport."We've run into some operational snags," explained Kilavuka in the letter, "so we've chosen to halt our…

A quartet of young chaps was nabbed by Somali police at Eng. Yariisow stadium on accounts of kicking up a ruckus at a local football match in Mogadishu. This grab was part of a sweeping effort to keep the peace at sports gatherings across the city. CREDIT/ Somali PoliceMogadishu (AX) — On a bustling Sunday, the Somali Police Force rounded up 24 youngsters after some hubbub broke out during a district footy showdown at Eng. Yariisow Stadium. Matches between Karaan and Wadajir districts, just a slice of the Banadir region's…

Inside Somali Political Leaders' NCC Gathering in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia - Recently taking center stage, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud summoned a crucial meeting of the National Consultative Council (NCC) in Mogadishu. This rare assembly of Somali leadership comes amidst persistent security hurdles and pressing threats to the nation's sovereignty. Sparking off today, this Thursday gathering occurs as Somalia grapples with Ethiopian threats concerning Red Sea access. This tension prompted Somalia to forge a defense…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has nabbed five Al-Shabaab operatives in Mogadishu, thwarting a plot to attack the capital.As per a NISA statement, the intelligence agency detained the militants and confiscated weapons and explosives meant to harm civilians.The action was based on prior intelligence and aimed to preempt a series of planned assaults in Mogadishu. “In a pre-planned operation, our agents intercepted five individuals plotting violence in the city. Besides making these…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (left) accepts a ceremonial gift from Haluk Bayraktar (right), CEO of Baykar Technologies, in a Mogadishu meet aimed at enhancing Somalia-Turkey defence ties. Mogadishu (AX) — Over the weekend, Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of Turkey's defence behemoth Baykar and the brain behind the globally acclaimed Bayraktar TB2 drone, touched down in Mogadishu, flagging a renewed vigor in Somalia-Turkey relations. Welcomed by Somalia's Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Bayraktar then had…

Mogadishu (AX) – Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, head of Jubaland, touched down in Mogadishu on Wednesday to join the imminent National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow. The onlookers at Aden Adde International Airport brought the heat, greeting federal lawmakers, ministers, and other bigwig politicos, making it the second such welcome of the day for a regional honcho. Earlier, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen from Southwest arrived in the bustling city for the eagerly awaited NCC gathering. In just a few days, the NCC…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Wednesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud kicked off the National Consultative Council (NCC) gathering in Mogadishu, aiming squarely at tackling key political and security concerns. Over the course of two days, this meeting pulls together heavyweights from four regional states - Jubaland, Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Galmudug. The mayor of Mogadishu, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and his deputy are also in attendance. Per the federal government's insights, the agenda is crammed with…

Mogadishu (AX) – Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, leader of Southwest regional state, landed in Mogadishu on Wednesday, ready for the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting.On arrival at Aden Adde International Airport, a welcoming committee featuring federal lawmakers, ministers, and notable political figures greeted the delegation with warm reception as they made their way to their accommodations in the bustling capital.Social media pictures highlighted the heavy military support accompanying the group,…