operations

U.S. SOCAFRICA chief meets Jubbaland leader in Kismayo to deepen fight against al-Shabab KISMAYO, Somalia — The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa met Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe in Kismayo on Monday to discuss ongoing military operations against al-Shabab and expanded security cooperation in southern Somalia, officials said. Maj. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr.’s visit comes amid intensified counterterrorism efforts in the Jubbaland region, where Somali forces, backed by international partners,…

EU ready to bolster Middle East maritime missions as Hormuz traffic stalls, oil nears $120 European Union leaders said the bloc is prepared to strengthen its naval operations in the Middle East to protect critical shipping lanes, as the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran disrupts maritime traffic and sends energy prices surging. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “expressed their openness to further tailor and enhance these operations in order to better…

Irish troops in south Lebanon safe, on alert as Israel pushes deeper across border Irish troops serving with the United Nations in south Lebanon are safe, accounted for and prepared for “this period of heightened intensity,” a Defence Forces spokesman said Monday, as Israeli forces advanced into border areas and the United Nations reported at least 30,000 people displaced in Lebanon. Commandant Alex Quigley told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that operations remain ongoing, with force-protection measures in place that can be scaled…

Somalia says NISA raids kill more than 40 Al-Shabaab militants in Hiiraan, Lower Shabelle MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), working with international partners, said Saturday it killed more than 40 Al-Shabaab militants in coordinated counterterrorism operations in the central Hiiraan region and the southern Lower Shabelle region. NISA said the first raid unfolded in the Waab-Weyn and Isgoyska Madashyo-Weyn areas under Mahaas district in Hiiraan, targeting fighters the agency…

Somalia’s NISA says weeklong raids kill more than 23 Al‑Shabaab militants in Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Tuesday it killed more than 23 Al‑Shabaab militants during a weeklong series of operations across the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, saying the raids targeted cells preparing attacks in several districts of Hirshabelle State. NISA said the strikes, conducted in coordination with international partners, followed actionable intelligence…

Friday February 20, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s new army chief met senior African Union leadership in Mogadishu to tighten battlefield coordination and accelerate the country’s Security Transition Plan as Somali forces prepare a renewed push against al-Shabab following Ramadan. Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, commander of the Somali National Army (SNA), hosted a closed-door session at army headquarters with Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the Special Representative of the African Union and head of the…

California avalanche search to continue into weekend as storms halt recovery on Castle Peak Authorities in Northern California said Friday the search for a ninth person believed killed in a massive Sierra Nevada avalanche will extend into the weekend, as relentless storms and unstable snow continue to thwart efforts to recover victims on Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said eight victims of the backcountry avalanche have been located but cannot be safely moved. “Due to hazardous weather…

LONDON — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, as detectives said they will continue searches at his former home in Berkshire. The development follows the release of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and marks the first time in modern history that a senior royal has been arrested. Andrew was held in custody for around 11 hours before Thames Valley Police released him under investigation. The force said…

Israel moves to shut down Doctors Without Borders in Gaza as Rafah crossing set for limited reopening Israel said it is terminating the humanitarian operations of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in the Gaza Strip after the group failed to provide a list of its Palestinian staff, as authorities prepare a partial reopening of the Rafah crossing for people. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said it is “moving to terminate the activities of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the Gaza…

Thousands of protesters filled downtown Minneapolis on Thursday as students across the United States staged coordinated walkouts, demanding that federal immigration agents withdraw from Minnesota amid mounting outrage over fatal shootings linked by demonstrators to a recent enforcement surge. The protests targeted a sweeping federal immigration operation in the Minneapolis area that has put heavily armed officers on neighborhood streets and prompted accusations of indiscriminate tactics. Organizers said the day of action…