Northeastern

Analysis: Northeastern State’s warning shot tests Somalia’s fragile federal bargain Somalia’s most politically assertive region, Northeastern State, has accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of trampling the country’s basic rules — and it’s not just a routine war of words. In a sharply worded statement from Garowe, Northeastern State’s leadership warned that what it calls constitutional overreach from the federal center risks tipping the country into crisis unless Somalis agree on a shared path to the next elections. They…

Analysis: Aid Spat Between Northeastern State and Mogadishu Exposes Fragile Federal Ties In Somalia’s rugged northeast, where the wind-carved ridges of the Cal Miskaad range fall to the sea, a familiar political quarrel is spilling into the humanitarian lane. Northeastern State officials and Somalia’s national disaster agency are trading accusations over who blocked lifesaving support to freshly secured areas — and why. It’s a dispute with real consequences for wounded soldiers, displaced families and the credibility of a…

Firdhiye Wins Leadership of Somalia’s New Northeastern State in Las Anod Vote Amid Allegations of Federal Interference How the vote unfolded Las Anod, a city that has lived at the edge of maps and the center of Somalia’s political crosswinds, delivered a decisive vote on Saturday. Abdikadir Ahmed Ali Firdhiye, a former interim leader of the territory known locally as SSC-Khatumo, was elected president of the newly formed Northeastern state after a tense and closely watched contest. The ballot shifted dramatically between…

Somalia’s Northeastern lawmakers head into decisive vote in Las Anod amid allegations of federal interference LAS ANOD, Somalia — Lawmakers in Somalia’s newly formed Northeastern state are set to choose a president and vice president on Saturday, a pivotal test for a region still finding its feet after a violent, bruising year and a political moment that could ripple far beyond the dusty streets of Las Anod. The vote, expected to unfold in rounds through the day, features ten contenders — five for president and five for…

Northeastern State's Offensive Against ISIS: A Turning Point in Somalia's War on Terror In the shadow of the al Miskad mountains, the resilient forces of Northeastern State, backed by American airstrikes, are waging an increasingly aggressive campaign against Islamic State militants. This offensive, the most significant in recent memory, underscores the broader geopolitical recalibrations influencing the Horn of Africa. The Battle at the Ballade Valley On August 22, the serene landscape of Ballade Valley erupted into…

Breaking News: U.S. Airstrikes Target ISIS Strongholds in Somalia's Baallade Valley The Baallade Valley in Somalia reverberated with the sound of warfare on Saturday night as U.S. forces launched a series of airstrikes aimed at dismantling the presence of the Islamic State (ISIS), according to security officials. The operation, which extended over several hours, concentrated on Maraagade—an area recognized for its entrenched ISIS strongholds. The strikes were reportedly audible in regions surrounding Bosaso, a significant…

Northeastern State's Mountain Offensive: Striking at the Heart of ISIS in Somalia In the rugged, sun-scorched mountains of northern Somalia, a new chapter in the relentless struggle against terrorism is unfolding. Northeastern State security forces successfully executed a strategic operation against ISIS fighters in the Calmiskaad mountains, a formidable landscape where militants have entrenched themselves for years. The Battle in the Mountains On Tuesday, amidst the arid peaks and thorny undergrowth, Northeastern State…

U.S. Military Aids Northeastern State in Battle Against ISIS: A Complex Alliance BOSASO, Somalia - The rugged terrain of Somalia’s Al-Miskad Mountains echoes with the relentless pursuit of ISIS militants as the U.S. Africa Command intensifies its airstrikes alongside the Northeastern State Counter-Terrorism Forces. This marks another chapter in the sustained effort to dismantle ISIS from the Horn of Africa, where pockets of militant resistance persist. The Joint Efforts It all began in December 2024 when U.S. Africa…

Amid Rising Tensions, U.S. Intensifies Its Air Campaign in Somalia In a remote area of Middle Shabelle, Somalia, a recent U.S. airstrike highlights the ongoing battle against the resilient al-Shabab militant group. The strike, conducted on August 22, targeted the al-Qaida affiliate, aiming to disrupt its activities both domestically and internationally. While details remain sparse due to operational security, this event underscores a broader, escalating campaign led by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Shifting Tactics…

Northeastern State at a Crossroads: Navigating Somalia's Political Landscape AXADLE, Somalia — In a region often at the heart of Somalia's turbulent politics, the meeting between Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni and United Nations Special Representative James Swan held in Garowe this Tuesday is more than just a diplomatic gesture. It signifies the delicate balance of power and peace in Somalia, a nation striving for cohesion amid fragmentation. A Meeting Amid Tension The meeting was not just attended by…