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Somali army says it killed senior al-Shabab leaders in Middle Shabelle raid MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s national army said Sunday it killed senior al-Shabab leaders and roughly 15 fighters in a planned security operation in the Jabad Godane area of the Middle Shabelle region, describing the strike as a significant blow to the group’s leadership and logistics. In a brief statement, the Somali National Army said the operation targeted a militant cell accused of planning attacks and targeting civilians. The army identified…

DHOBLEY, Somalia — Kenya’s deputy army commander, Maj. Gen. Mohamed Hassan, wrapped up a two-day operational visit to Kenya Defence Forces troops deployed in Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, delivering a message of discipline, vigilance and troop welfare as the mission supports Somalia’s security transition against al-Shabab. Hassan inspected positions at the Dhobley Main Operating Base and forward locations in Afmadhow, Beles Qoqani, Tabda and Hoosingo on Dec. 9 and 10. He…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali special forces and regional security units said they killed a senior al-Shabab commander during a planned nighttime operation in the Jamaame district of the Lower Jubba region, as government-aligned troops intensified a weeks-long push to retake areas long held by the militants. Jubbaland authorities said Friday that Danab commandos, operating alongside Jubbaland’s Dervish forces, targeted a group of al-Shabab fighters late Thursday and killed a commander identified as Farah Jibriil and seven…

Puntland State arrests senior immigration official in Garowe over alleged youth-smuggling passports Garowe, Somalia — Puntland State security forces on Sunday arrested a senior official with the Immigration and Nationality Authority in Garowe on allegations he facilitated youth smuggling networks by illegally issuing Somali passports, authorities said. The official, identified by local sources as the deputy head of the Garowe Immigration Office, is accused of producing travel documents for large numbers of young people who…

Senior Puntland State commander killed by explosion during anti-ISIS operation BOSASO, Somalia — A senior commander in Puntland State’s counter‑terrorism forces was killed Monday when an explosive device detonated during a sweep of rugged mountains where Islamic State fighters have been hiding, regional officials said. General Ahmed Ali Qarjab, widely known by the nom de guerre “Qalyare,” was serving as commander of Puntland State’s 2nd Battalion when the blast struck in Dhasaan, in the Al‑Miskaad mountain range. Puntland…

Somalia says airstrike kills three senior al‑Shabab commanders in Hiiraan What happened Mogadishu — Somalia’s government said Tuesday it killed three senior al‑Shabab commanders in an airstrike in the central region of Hiiraan, the latest strike in a campaign it says aims to shear away the group’s leadership and sap its battlefield strength. In a brief statement, the federal government said the operation was carried out by Somalia’s intelligence service “working with international partners,” and targeted “important…

U.S. military chiefs visit North Western State of Somalia as Congress advances bill to deepen engagement HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Senior U.S. military officials overseeing East Africa operations met Monday with North Western State of Somalia’s new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, in a rare high-level visit to Hargeisa that dovetailed with fresh momentum in Washington to widen America’s ties with the self-governing territory. The talks — which both sides described as focused on security…

Burkina Faso’s Junta Expels UN Official Amid Controversy Over Child Recruitment Report In a bold and highly controversial move, Burkina Faso’s military junta has declared Carol Flore-Smereczniak, the top United Nations official in the country, “persona non grata.” This expulsion underscores the growing tensions between the military government and international organizations amid an escalating humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing jihadist conflict. The immediate catalyst for this decision was a report that called…

NAIROBI, Kenya - According to state media reports, the commander-in-chief of the Tigraya Defense Force surrendered to the Ethiopian National Defense Force . Colonel Gebrehivot Gebreaelaf, a respected commander in the TDFranks, reportedly deserted on Saturday, which could significantly affect the advancementofTigray's army, which is movinginto Afar and Amhara in northern Ethiopia.State media reported that Colonel Gebrechivot Gebreaelaf sidedwithGasaiwithhim. TDF spokesman Getachew Rada was not available for comment, but…

Five dead in morning bomb blast targeting senior Somalia police official MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior police commander survived a serious bombing in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, officials said, in an attack that comes just three months after assuming his security responsibilities in this country in the Horn of Africa. Colonel Farhan Mohamud Adan aka Qarole, was targeted by a massive explosion…