region

Somalia's Presidential Peace Trek to Hiran BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - Rumor has it that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is packing his bags for a trip to Baladweyne in the Hiran region. His mission? To iron out some pretty gnarly conflicts between the locals and the Hirshabelle state bosses. President Mohamud aims to untangle the mess surrounding the self-declared Hiran state—put together by some big shots who were not too thrilled with the distribution of power and cash in Hirshabelle. It's akin to a soap opera,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, the Dhagahyo Addo area has recently been stirred with anxiety owing to feral encounters that left two young boys injured by hyena attacks. These incidents illuminate the thin line rural communities walk when typified by wildlife encroachments. The first unfortunate encounter involved Bashir Mohamed Ismail Harir, a 16-year-old who faced a harrowing episode while catching some z’s near a camel corral. His father painted a vivid picture of the scary incident: "The hyena…

Northeastern State's Bold Strike: A New Chapter in the Fight Against ISIS BOSASO, Somalia - Armed with grit, guts, and a little help from some international friends, Northeastern State's security force launched a daring aerial assault against ISIS. This late-night venture, set under a canopy of stars, zeroed in on the elusive positions of Islamic State in the craggy landscapes around Isku-Shuban. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, only with more drones and less poking. The darkness didn't dampen the effectiveness…

Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia is embarking on an ambitious venture to irrigate more than 112,000 hectares of land in its often-neglected Somali region. This initiative, greeted with enthusiasm by local communities, is seen as a pivotal step towards transforming one of the nation's least developed territories. Orchestrated by the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowland Areas, this effort aims not only to rejuvenate arid fields but also to uplift the lives of countless residents. Having officially unveiled the Gode Irrigation…

Ethiopian Military Chopper Goes Down in Bahir Dar, Amhara NAIROBI, Kenya – This past Saturday, a helicopter belonging to Ethiopia's Air Force took a nosedive at Belay Zeleke International Airport located in Bahir Dar. Details on who was on board are sparse, as per media reports. The mishap happened around noon in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region. An airport worker, in a chat with Meseret Media, acknowledged the incident occurred but couldn't spill any more beans. There are zero updates on what caused the crash…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a chilling turn of events, local residents recounted how Al-Shabab fighters executed a brazen ambush on two soldiers from the Southwest state. The attack took place on Tuesday as the soldiers were making their way on a motorcycle journey along the route connecting Wanlaweyn and Afgoye districts, a stretch notorious for its tension, nestled within Somalia’s troubled Lower Shabelle region. It's a ride that many dread for its lurking dangers. Reports from the scene suggest the soldiers were headed from…

The targeted area hit by the drone strike lies within the bounds of Arge in the Durbete district (image courtesy of BBC Amharic). Toronto - A devastating drone assault has shaken the Amhara region of Ethiopia, leaving a grim toll of over 50 civilian lives. The incident, another in a troubling series, claimed elders, children, and women among its victims. Alarmingly, one expectant mother was among those killed. The attack did not stop at fatalities; around 21 individuals sustained injuries, many serious and some critically…

American Drone Takes a Nosedive in Somali Turf MOGADISHU, Somalia - Earlier this week, a U.S. military drone crashed in southern Somalia, as confirmed by the U.S. Africa Command. This disclosure ended swirling rumors about the machine’s ownership, pivotal in battling the Al-Shabaab insurgency. Initial chatter in the area sparked curiosity, with speculation floating around a possible Turkish drone crash in the Al-Shabaab-occupied town of Farsoley, in Lower Shabelle. This town sits about 130 km southwest of Somalia's…

Mogadishu (AX) — In an audacious offensive, Somalia's National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) unleashed a blistering assault against al-Shabaab, taking down at least 19 of their operatives in the Yaaqle area within Middle Shabelle. They made this announcement on Friday, painting a vivid picture of a strategic victory in their ongoing anti-terrorism campaign. This calculated operation zeroed in on a concealed lair, harboring al-Shabaab fighters plotting under the radar. NISA claims they successfully neutralized key…

The political climate in Ethiopia's Amhara state has raised eyebrows in the United States, sparking significant concerns about the escalating conflict in the region—concerns expressed by none other than America's chief diplomat late on Monday. The Fano, a militia group part of the Amhara ethnic group, which holds the title of Ethiopia's second-largest ethnicity, is a curious player in this drama. Around April 2023, driven by the government's attempt to disarm regional forces, the Fano picked up their arms, embracing a role…