Somali

Mogadishu (AX) — Sweden will continue deporting Somali nationals whose asylum claims have been rejected, Migration Minister Johan Forssell said, defending a bilateral return agreement that has come under intensifying political and public scrutiny over funding channels and oversight. Forssell said the cooperation with Somalia has delivered “clear results” and forms part of a broader effort to enforce asylum decisions. He added that Sweden intends to expand similar arrangements with additional countries, signaling a tougher…

MINNEAPOLIS — The takedown happened in seconds: masked federal agents sprinting toward a 20-year-old Somali American as he stepped from a restaurant, forcing him through a doorway and pinning him against a metal gate. “Why are you running?” one demanded in the bystander video, despite footage showing he had stopped. Moments later, as snow gathered on his jacket, an arm slid around his neck and he was shoved into an unmarked gray SUV while neighbors shouted that he is a citizen. The man, who asked to be identified as Mubashir…

Vermont school district deluged with threats after raising Somali flag in show of support WINOOSKI, Vt. — A small Vermont school district has been hit with racist and threatening calls and messages after flying a Somali flag on campus to support Somali American students following President Donald Trump’s remarks referring to Minnesota’s Somali community as “garbage.” The Winooski School District began displaying the Somali flag on Dec. 5 outside its K-12 building, placing it beneath the U.S. flag and alongside Vermont’s…

MOGADISHU — The Somali National Electoral Commission said Thursday night that 20 political organizations have formally submitted candidate lists for the Banadir local council elections scheduled for December 25, closing the candidate registration phase for the Mogadishu-area vote. In a statement, the commission confirmed that candidate registration has concluded, capping a two-week extension granted last month to give parties more time to finalize their slates. A total of 61 political organizations registered earlier this…

Somalia defense minister rebukes ex-president’s warning on Mogadishu security, says critics undermine reforms MOGADISHU — Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, on Thursday rejected former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s assertion that Mogadishu remains unsafe, accusing the opposition figure of eroding confidence in security gains and obstructing the country’s political transition. In a statement posted on Facebook, Fiqi said Sheikh Sharif and allies in the Council of National Salvation have consistently…

Ma'awisley militia kills several al-Shabaab militants near Beledweyne in Dhoqor raid BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — Local clan militia forces known as Ma'awisley killed several al-Shabaab militants during a targeted operation Thursday in Dhoqor, an area along the Shabelle River about 25 kilometers from Beledweyne in the Hiiraan region, according to local sources. The strike, carried out by three militia members, also resulted in the seizure of weapons from two of the dead fighters, the sources said. News of the incident spread…

Somali defense minister rejects latest Trump insults MOGADISHU — Somalia’s defense minister pushed back after former U.S. President Donald Trump again disparaged people from the East African nation, saying Somalis would not accept being demeaned. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday that was billed as a showcase of his economic record, Trump denounced migration from what he called “Third World” countries and singled out Somalia. “We always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right?” he said, adding:…

Somalia says intelligence raid strikes al-Shabab leadership in Jilib; separate operation reported to kill 13 near Afgooye MOGADISHU — Somalia’s intelligence service said Thursday its forces carried out an overnight operation in Middle Juba targeting senior al-Shabab commanders inside the militant group’s longtime stronghold of Jilib. The National Intelligence and Security Agency, known as NISA, said the mission zeroed in on leadership elements within al-Shabab but did not disclose casualties or the extent of damage.…

Thursday December 11, 2025 MOGADISHU (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed into law the establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, capping a legislative process completed by both houses of the Federal Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The presidential assent came Tuesday and coincided with the country’s observance of International Human Rights Day. Mohamud said the commission’s creation reflects Somalia’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens. He…

You are an elite, award-winning international journalist and a meticulous senior editor. Your job is to transform raw source material into a publish-ready article that meets the highest AP-standard editorial and technical requirements. PHASE 1 — ANALYSIS AND FORMAT DECISION Read the source text thoroughly. Identify the core themes, dominant purpose, crucial facts, data points, and human or structural angles. Based solely on this analysis, select exactly one article format from the list below. Always choose Football…