operations

New airstrip in Buur Hakaba offers hope — and a test of resilience — in Somalia’s restless south BUUR HAKABA, Somalia — In the sun-baked plains between Baidoa and the coast, a strip of compacted earth has suddenly become more than a patch of ground. On a warm Sunday morning this week, local leaders and residents cut a ribbon on Buur Hakaba’s first-phase airport — a modest airfield that community members and the Southwest state government say will be a lifeline for trade, education and elections in a part of Somalia long…

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have taken a decisive step to impose targeted sanctions on what’s often referred to as Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers. This fleet has enabled Moscow to continue exporting significant volumes of crude oil and petroleum products, effectively sidestepping the sanctions imposed by the EU, G7, and various international bodies. A growing chorus of concern has emerged regarding these aging, uninsured tankers, with fears that they could trigger ecological disasters, particularly…

In a tragic turn of events, an Israeli airstrike has taken the lives of three Lebanese soldiers in southern Lebanon. This strike occurred while France hosted a crucial conference aimed at garnering support for the Lebanese state forces, which are increasingly viewed as essential for any peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The unfortunate incident involved the Lebanese troops as they attempted to evacuate the wounded from the outskirts of Yater, a village situated in southern Lebanon.…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's intelligence powerhouse, NISA, teaming up with global partners, carried out a high-stakes raid across Middle Shabelle and Galgadud regions. The mission concluded with the demise of 40 al-Shabaab operatives, including the notorious Moalim Aarow, a mastermind of numerous assaults. Within 24 hours, the strike also left 29 rebels nursing injuries. The target? Vital al-Shabaab hotspots dotted across the Yaaqle area in Middle Shabelle and Galgadud's remote villages, sharply crippling their movements…

The Israeli military has conducted strikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 50 Palestinians throughout Gaza, intensifying their operations around Jabalia in the northern region. This development follows ongoing and fierce confrontations with fighters affiliated with Hamas. According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli fire claimed the lives of at least 17 individuals near Al-Falouja, which is the largest among Gaza's eight historical refugee camps. Additionally, in a separate incident in Bani Suhaila, located in…

In a significant escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah militants, Israel has broadened its military targets across Lebanon, leading to the deaths of at least 21 individuals in a recent airstrike in the northern region. Health officials reported this casualty figure, while millions of Israelis took refuge, protecting themselves from retaliatory projectiles launched from the Lebanese side of the border. The focal point of Israel's military endeavors has primarily been the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, along with the…

A DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone is buzzing in the air. It's just like those now banned from flying within five nautical miles of Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport due to new safety rules from the Somali Civil Aviation Authority.Mogadishu (AX) — In light of heightened security troubles, Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority has grounded all drones within a five-nautical-mile circle around Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport. This move aims to secure the area and smooth out flight operations at the nation's…

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…

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),…

FILE PHOTO Mogadishu (AX) – In a decisive sweep, Somali National Army (SNA) troops, along with international allies and local supporters, took down over 50 al-Shabab fighters in the Galgadud region, as revealed by the Somali Ministry of Information on Saturday. The collaborative effort focused on obliterating al-Shabab positions deep within the wooded terrains between Bidda Issa and Gerile in Elder district, dealing a severe blow to their operations. "Our armed forces with international backing launched an assault on the…