security

MOGADISHU, Somalia - On a Friday evening, beneath the darkening sky, the presidential guards stationed at Villa Somalia found themselves confronting an unexpected mechanical intruder. With a hum resonating overhead, an unauthorized drone zoomed over the president's official residence, casting shadows of uncertainty and potential peril. Two drones were actually sighted; although the security team's keen eyes quickly locked onto and neutralized one, the origins of these rogue devices remain shrouded in mystery. The prompt and…

Bosaso (AX) — As doom would have it, Abdifatah Nur Mataan, second in command on matters of politics and safeguarding in Beled-Hawo, was swept away after grappling with grievous injuries from a landmine explosion. The town's officious adventurers confirmed his departure. “We were cruising back from Beled-Hawo’s landing strip, minding our own business,” recalled an official who wished to remain nameless, similar to a garden gnome caught in unwarranted chaos. A dire fate unfolded as Mataan's convoy, fresh from airport…

They say truth is stranger than fiction and, in this case, Bosaso's Friday night escapades would make a compelling plot twist in any thriller novel. Picture this: a bustling coastal town, where a seemingly benign tradesman has his true colors revealed under the glaring headlights of a police patrol. In a dramatic turn, security forces in Bosaso were led on a proverbial wild goose chase by a suspected foreign ISIS operative trying his luck with landmines late on what…

In a remarkable turn of diplomatic dialogue, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen recently engaged in an enlightening discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the Arctic landscape. This conversation unfolded amidst ongoing interest from the Trump administration in the fate of Greenland, the stunning autonomous territory of Denmark, which has captured the imagination of many—particularly President Trump, who seems to have an unquenchable thirst for control. During their 20-minute phone call,…

With a characteristic vigor, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Thursday reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering support for Somalia, envisaging a future ripe with collaborative triumphs. He emphasized, often with a flourish, that Somalia's security isn't just a distant concern but a vital piece of Egypt's own national security puzzle. In moments like these, can anyone really overstate the power of friendship between nations? During a lively joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sisi eloquently…

WASHINGTON — It was a grim scene over two relentless days of tumult in Somalia’s Northeastern State territory where recent skirmishes claimed the lives of over 20 individuals and left a further ten nursing battle scars. The security forces clashed with Islamic State insurgents in a fierce showdown, as shared by officials on Tuesday. Speaking to VOA’s Somali Service, the steely Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, who orchestrates Northeastern State's security responses, painted a stark picture of the skirmish. He…

In an era where every magnifying glass is trained on global security, President William Ruto is striking the chord for greater unity among Horn of Africa nations to square up against shared woes like terrorism and organized crime. Seems like a tall order, doesn’t it? After a tête-à-tête with Ethiopia's intelligence czar, Ambassador Redwan Hussien, at the prestigious State House, Nairobi, Ruto pulled out all the stops to reinforce Kenya's promise of working hand in glove with both regional and worldwide partners. His…

On a sun-drenched Saturday morning, the streets of Mogadishu buzzed with an unsual energy as Somali security forces scattered themselves across the city, staking their claim on Mogadishu's bustling corners. Their mission? Silencing the city’s signature soundtrack—auto-rickshaw speakers. These speakers, which once belted out catchy tunes and lively broadcasts, now find themselves tangled up in controversy. Just like that quiet guy at a party who suddenly breaks into a dance—unexpectedly! Police…

Sure, let's breathe some life into this story. --- Mogadishu (AX) – In a fiery broadside against the Somali federal government's current policies, the former President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, didn't mince words. Emerging from political hibernation, Ahmed, who holds the reins of the Himilo Qaran Party, orchestrated a press conference in Mogadishu on Tuesday that left no stone unturned in its critique. He cut straight to the chase, lambasting the government for its handling of politics, security, constitutional tweaks,…

In a bustling intersection of cultural exchange and strategic collaboration, Iraq's Interior Minister, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, embarked on pivotal talks with Somali officials, akin to architects gathering blueprints for a vast, security edifice. Their meeting revolved around a cornerstone idea—a proposed security memorandum of understanding—that could one day serve as a robust bulwark against the tidal waves of terrorism that lap at Somalia’s shores. Holding a joint press conference with his Somali counterpart, Abdullahi…