says

Somali opposition says security forces blocked former leaders at Mogadishu airport; government cites security breach MOGADISHU — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council on Friday accused federal security forces of preventing former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Rooble from entering Aden Adde International Airport to attend a scheduled political meeting, escalating tensions ahead of anticipated electoral talks with the government. In a statement, the Somali Future…

Somali star Farhiya Fiska alleges domestic assault in Hargeisa; husband released on bail HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Prominent Somali singer Farhiya Ahmed Adaawe Geedi, widely known as Farhiya Fiska, has accused her husband of beating and strangling her during an incident in Hargeisa, saying she was locked in a room for hours and feared she would be killed. In an interview Tuesday, Farhiya said her husband, fellow musician Mubarak Ahmed Yusuf, who performs under the name “October,” attacked her and held her…

Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region on Tuesday, days after pausing service amid fresh clashes between regional and federal forces that stirred fears the country could slide back toward conflict. An airline official confirmed the restart, restoring a vital air link to a region still emerging from a two-year war that ended in late 2022. The carrier did not immediately provide additional operational details, but the move suggests authorities judge conditions stable enough to allow commercial…

U.S. says Somalia policy unchanged after Israel recognizes North Western State of Somalia Mogadishu (AX) — The United States on Monday reiterated that its policy on Somalia remains unchanged, reaffirming support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity after Israel moved to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state late last year. A U.S. State Department spokesperson told the BBC that Washington maintains a “good working relationship” with North Western State of Somalia and other Somali…

Iran signals no talks with U.S. under threat as Trump touts new ‘armada’ toward Gulf Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran has not sought or held contact with Washington’s special envoy in recent days, rejecting fresh talk of backchannel diplomacy as the United States moves additional forces toward the region and President Donald Trump presses for a deal. Abbas Araqchi, speaking to state media on Wednesday, said there had been “no contact” with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and “no request for negotiations” from Tehran. He…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali government forces, backed by international partners, have killed at least 150 Al-Shabab militants in more than two weeks of operations in the Middle Shabelle region, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said Tuesday. Fiqi said the campaign concentrated on the Jabad Godane area and surrounding settlements, which he described as a strategic militant hub. He said the dead included six senior commanders of the al-Qaida-linked group. “By the grace of God and the bravery of the National Army, and with…

Somalia says WFP food aid fully returned after Mogadishu port warehouse dispute; U.S. pauses some assistance MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government said it has returned in full all World Food Programme supplies removed from a warehouse at the Port of Mogadishu, taking responsibility for the incident and pledging tighter coordination with aid partners after the United States announced a pause on certain assistance. In a statement issued late Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government “takes full…

LAS ANOD, Somalia — Authorities in Somalia’s Northeastern State have dismissed as fabricated a video circulating on social media that purports to show Al-Shabab militants operating near Las Anod, calling it an artificial-intelligence–manipulated attempt to spread fear and misinformation. In a statement issued Saturday, the Northeastern Somali Police Force labeled the footage “fake,” saying it was crudely assembled from unrelated online clips and altered with AI tools. Police rejected claims that any portion was filmed in…

MOGADISHU — Somalia has canceled its defense and security agreements with the United Arab Emirates, a move the government said Friday was necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and public safety while keeping broader diplomatic ties intact. Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Daud Aweys Jama said the termination applies strictly to military and security cooperation frameworks between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi. He argued the arrangements had become more harmful than helpful to Somalia’s…

DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday backed away from threats to slap tariffs on European allies over Greenland, ruled out the use of force and said a framework was emerging for a long-term Arctic security and minerals deal that could defuse one of the sharpest transatlantic disputes in years. Trump said the United States and NATO partners had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” and, based on that understanding, he would not impose…