region

U.S. Preparedness Amid Tensions with Iran The evolving situation between the United States and Iran remains tense, casting a palpable sense of uncertainty over both military personnel and political leaders alike. As events unfold, we find ourselves pondering a crucial question: How will the U.S. respond to Iran’s latest actions? Despite Iran launching numerous missiles, it appears that the majority of them were intercepted. Remarkably, there were no casualties or extensive damage reported. Yet, in a world…

Political Tensions in Ethiopia’s Somali Region JIGJIGA, Ethiopia (AX) — In a striking turn of events, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has leveled serious accusations against governmental officials in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. They claim that two of their senior members have been unlawfully detained for over three weeks. This incident, they argue, is not an isolated case; rather, it's part of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation that jeopardizes the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement. In…

Approximately 10,000 Russian soldiers are engaged in combat within Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that Ukraine currently holds around 90 square kilometers of territory in the Hlushkov district, stating, "These are our preemptive actions in response to a possible enemy attack." According to the Ukrainian military, this strategic presence in the Kursk region is crucial for inhibiting Russia from deploying significant forces to the eastern Donetsk region, an area…

New Oil and Gas Discovery in Egypt's Western Desert The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) has made an exciting announcement regarding a new oil and gas discovery in the Abu Sennan brownfield located in Egypt's Western Desert. The news was officially released by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, marking yet another chapter in Egypt's ongoing quest for energy independence. Spanning over two-thirds of Egypt’s land area, the Egyptian Western Desert is a vast…

Trained men find work through casual labor/File Photo/ Securing employment at a new factory in Harfo, situated in Somalia's Mudug region, has profoundly altered the life of Ahmed Abdikhayr Jama. This pivotal opportunity has allowed him to provide for his family of eight, leading him to relinquish the daunting option of migrating overseas in search of better prospects. Ahmed is part of a remarkable group—over 300 men and women from vulnerable backgrounds—who have been trained and employed at this very factory, which…

Bridging Borders: A Call to Action from Ethiopia’s Somali State President NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — In a heartfelt and compelling appeal, Mustafa Mohammed Omar 'Cagjar', the President of Ethiopia’s Somali State, has invited Somalis living abroad to return and reinvest in their homeland. Speaking to a throng of diaspora members in Nairobi, he made a passionate case for not just relocation, but active participation in the region’s renaissance, particularly targeting professionals and entrepreneurs based in Kenya. “Our region…

U.S. President Donald Trump returned to Washington late Friday night, traveling aboard the vintage Boeing 747 that has become a symbol of his presidency. This aircraft, a remnant from George H.W. Bush's administration, has carried many leaders and dignitaries on numerous trips to the Middle East over the years. This vintage plane, often referred to as "the other Air Force One," has been a witness to significant U.S. involvement in the region. From Bush's initial invasion of Iraq in response to Kuwait’s aggression to his…

After months of stalemate and escalating humanitarian crises, a glimmer of hope emerges in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, our optimism must be tempered by the lessons of the past. How many times have we seen initiatives crumble, leaving communities in despair? As Paul-Simon Handy, East Africa Regional Director for the Institute of Security Studies, astutely observes, faltering African interventions have inadvertently paved the way for global actors to step into a role of greater influence. It was under the…

The European Union finds itself at a significant crossroads in its relationship with the Sahel region. An urgent call for a transformative political strategy has been articulated in an open letter to the EU Vice President by Human Rights Watch. They assert that the "Integrated Strategy in the Sahel," which was introduced in April 2021, has unfortunately grown antiquated, especially in the wake of recent military coups in the central Sahel. Why, one might ask, does this matter? The Sahel, a vast stretch of land encompassing…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a significant announcement that echoes the aspirations of many Somali citizens, Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan of the National Electoral Commission revealed on Thursday an extension of the voter registration period for local council elections in the Banadir region. This decision, made after thoughtful consideration, responds to the urgent need for greater public participation in the electoral process. During a press conference held at the commission's headquarters in Mogadishu, Abdikarin articulated…