Somali

Mogadishu (AX) — It appears that the resilient and determined forces of Somalia, coupled with the valorous local militias, have once again made strides forward. On Friday, an intriguing ripple spread through the Middle Shabelle region as they reclaimed the pivotal towns of El Baraf and Miirtaqwa. These areas had fallen into the clutch of the Al-Shabaab militants, albeit fleetingly. Was this maneuver by Al-Shabaab a sign of desperation? Perhaps. The tides turned rapidly, and the towns now resound with a newfound hope,…

Mogadishu (AX) — At the crack of dawn, the stillness of El Baraf was shattered. You could feel the tension in the air, palpable and unnerving. Just days ago, the town fell into tumult when Al-Shabaab launched an overwhelming assault on the Somali National Army (SNA) and local militias. This was not just another battle. It was a turning point in a theater of conflict that many have come to accept as the norm. The Somali government, recognizing the gravity of the situation, has crafted a decisive response. Troops aren't…

Dhusamareb (AX) – In the moonlit tranquillity of a Thursday night, the Somali army, in concert with vigilant local clan militias, set the stage for a deliberate military operation in Dabagalo—a haven nestled within the Harardhere district of the Mudug region. Their mission? To dismantle an Al-Shabaab stronghold that, until then, had been an insidious blight on the community's path. Six militants met their fate, taken down as if they were extensions of the very shadows they sought to exploit. What makes a group of people…

Mogadishu (AX) – The tapestry of diplomatic relations often weaves itself in unexpected patterns. Recently, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi found himself at the center of a swirling storm of speculation, dismissing allegations that the federal government barred former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Rooble from securing diplomatic passport clearance for a journey to South Africa. During a candid discourse with VOA Somalia, Minister Fiqi painted a picture of respect and regard for Rooble, highlighting…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Thursday, the Somali government stepped into the spotlight, addressing its vigilant watch over the legal and humanitarian status of Somali nationals imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. This move comes on the heels of a fervent protest in Mogadishu, where families of detainees facing execution spilled their worries onto the streets. Their cries echo: will justice have an ear? The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, echoing a chorus of duty and humanity, pledged allegiance to the cause of these…

“What is politics but the art of pulling wool over the eyes of the people?” mused a seasoned diplomat over coffee once. With these words echoing in my mind, let me delve into a story that adds another layer to the intricate tapestry known as Somali politics. On a balmy Thursday, the air was heavy with anticipation at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The reason? The unexpected arrival of Mohamed Hussein Roble, a man who once steered Somalia from the turbulent raft as its Prime Minister. This, however, was…

Somali Army Repels Al-Shabaab Attack, Kills 130 in Middle Shabelle Region Report By Ali MusaAxadle Times International – Monitoring MOGADISHU, Somalia – In the dim light of dawn, a clash unfolded between the Somali National Army (SNA) and the relentless Al-Shabaab insurgents. What occurred this Thursday was not a mere confrontation but a detailed chapter in the ongoing saga of resilience and sovereignty. Officials confirmed the attack was thwarted by…

Jubaland Accuses Somali Govt of Politicizing Aid and "Consolidating Federal Power" KISMAYO, Somalia — It is a scene as vivid as a painter's stroke. Jubaland, a name echoing across Somalia's tumultuous landscape, is at odds yet again with the central powers that be. The cordial handshake of unity between Ahmed Madobe, the stalwart leader of Jubaland, and the federal government has now turned glacial. Consider this: When President Madobe addressed the people from Kismayo, the air was thick with anticipation. In…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a city where the past often seems to echo into the present, security and peace hang by fragile threads. This reality endures in Mogadishu, where the pursuit of one man's shadow characterizes the urgency of an unending struggle. The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has set its sights on Abdullahi Hassan Abdi, a man alleged to have exploited fear and suffering to line his pockets. For the residents of the Banadir region, life takes on a particular rhythm. One part hope, one part…

Mogadishu (AX) – Under the sweltering rays of the Mogadishu sun, a group of anguished families protested on Wednesday. Their loved ones—Somali citizens—face death sentences in Saudi Arabia. With pleas that tug at the heart, these families called upon the Somali government to intercede on behalf of their imprisoned kin. The protesters, a tapestry of pain and resolve, claimed that 45 Somali nationals languish on death row in Saudi prisons. Their cry is simple yet profound: they demand negotiations with Saudi authorities to…