seized

Mogadishu (AX) — This past Sunday, the strategic Somali town of Mahas fell under the control of Al-Shabaab militants, a significant turning point that marks the group’s first breach of this area in over ten years. The news is alarming and raises pressing questions about the resurgence of this group and its implications for regional stability. The Somali Ministry of Defence has confirmed this assault, detailing intense clashes that took place between government forces, local clan fighters, and militants. While the…

Displaced people ride in an animal-drawn cart, fleeing the recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam displacement camp in Tawila, North Darfur, Sudan, on April 15, 2025. The scene, marked by fear and uncertainty, reflects the harsh realities faced by many in this conflict-ridden nation. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo In a world grappling with complex geopolitical issues, the situation in Sudan stands out as both tragic and troubling. On April 29, 2025, a U.N. panel of experts responsible…

Unraveling Arms Supply Dynamics in Sudan: A Complex Tale of Conflict and Accountability In the heart of Africa's tumultuous landscape lies Sudan, a nation grappling with conflict, dislocation, and the haunting scars of violence. Recently, media coverage has illuminated a particularly troubling chapter within this narrative—the investigation into how mortar rounds exported from Bulgaria to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) found their way into the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The story is not just about…

Somalia Returns Rifles Taken from Kenyan Officer Killed in Attack MOGADISHU, Somalia — It was a solemn morning in Mandera County, as Somali authorities handed back two rifles taken from a fallen Kenyan officer at the border. The return was a small yet significant gesture amidst simmering tensions in a region long shadowed by conflict and strife. Personal stories often resonate with textures of loss and resilience, echoing sentiments that formal reports may obscure. So here, in this narrative, lies an effort to humanize…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- In a scene reminiscent of tales from a bygone era, suspected Somali pirates unceremoniously abandoned a Yemeni fishing vessel they had commandeered for several tense days. The Saytuun-2 dhow, which plies the timeless waters of the Middle East, was thrust into the spotlight when it was seized off Somalia’s precarious coastline, only to be released five days later. Some might ask, what compels modern-day buccaneers to such bold acts? A European naval group, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, chronicled…

FILE - Aslam Longton (bottom right) and Jamil Longton (bottom left) are seen at the Kenya National Human Rights Commission in Nairobi, Feb. 2, 2025. (Credit: Kenya National Human Rights Commission) The specter of forced disappearances looms ominously over Kenya, a nation that has recently been rocked by political unrest and social discord. Since the summer of 2024, when sweeping protests engulfed the country, a staggering 82 instances of alleged abductions have been documented by the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission.…

Russia has swiftly dismissed the notion of exchanging occupied territories with Kyiv as a potential element in any forthcoming peace negotiations. This rejection came merely hours after a devastating barrage of drones and missiles rained down upon Kyiv, tragically resulting in the death of one individual. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed the idea of trading Ukrainian-held portions of Russia’s Kursk region for territories currently under Russian control in eastern and southern Ukraine. However, the…

Nairobi (AX) – In the heart of Mandera County, a shadowy cloud of fear descended as alleged Al-Shabaab insurgents spirited away five local chiefs on Monday. Their journey toward Elwak was abruptly interrupted, sparking concern throughout the region. North Eastern Regional Commissioner, John Otieno, relayed the troubling news, painting a stark picture of areas like Bamba Owla and Ires Suki, known for their vulnerability to militant operations. One might wonder, what drives these menacing forces to such acts of aggression? The…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Picture this: a hijacked fishing vessel, reminiscent of a high-seas drama, finds its rightful freedom after two harrowing months held hostage off the Somali coast. The Chinese embassy confirmed the rescue, celebrating the safe return of 18 resilient crew members. Their release marks the end of a maritime nightmare that could have been lifted straight from a pirate saga. Unfolding like chapters in a tense novel, news of their liberation appeared on X—what some still fondly recall as Twitter. The embassy…

These Facebook posts featuring images purportedly showing weapons seized by Somalia’s Northeastern State regional state after militias intercepted them in September 2024 are PARTLY FALSE.