Somalia

Somalia’s new intelligence hub: a leap forward or a bandage on a deeper wound? MOGADISHU — On a clear morning in Mogadishu this week, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud cut the ribbon on a sleek new Intelligence and Reconnaissance Centre, presenting it as proof that Somalia is finally building the institutions needed to push back Al-Shabaab. In his remarks, carried by state media, he described the facility as a reflection of the government’s commitment to developing defence institutions and “designed to strengthen the nation’s…

Somali forces, backed by US air support, strike Al-Shabaab in central region MOGADISHU — Somali security forces, with support from the United States Africa Command, say they killed at least 12 fighters from the militant group Al-Shabaab in a planned operation this week in central Somalia — a raid officials cast as a tactical victory but one that also lays bare the persistent challenges facing the fragile federal government. The operation took place in the Ceel-dhiiqo Weyne area of Galgaduud, a windswept region that has…

Abiy’s Red Sea Declaration Raises the Stakes in an Already Volatile Horn of Africa When Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared on national television that “the mistake made 30 years ago will be corrected tomorrow,” he was doing more than rekindling a long‑smoldering grievance about access to the sea. He was signaling a willingness to contest borders and partnerships in a part of the world where history, water and trade routes are tightly braided — and where small shifts can cascade into wider confrontation. Abiy’s…

Guinea brush past Somalia in Kampala to keep 2026 World Cup push alive Guinea kept their World Cup dream humming on Friday with a professional 3–0 win over Somalia at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, a tidy night’s work that moved the Syli National to 10 points and kept them within touching distance of Group G’s frontrunners as Africa’s qualifiers tilt into their decisive stretch. Serhou Guirassy struck early, an own goal midway through the second half doubled the cushion, and a stoppage-time tap-in from Ousmane Camara…

Historic Leap: Somalia's First Female Military Cadets Graduate MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a groundbreaking ceremony that reverberated through the hallways of history, Somalia welcomed its first-ever female military cadets. This significant event marks not just a military milestone but a powerful cultural shift within a nation long-encumbered by traditional patriarchal constraints. The graduation at a Turkish-run military academy epitomizes the slow yet inexorable march toward gender equality in Somalia—a journey many hope…

Rising Tensions and Targeted Operations: The Complex Landscape of U.S. Involvement in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — The landscape of international military engagement is shifting yet again, as U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) recently reported an indirect fire attack targeting American troops stationed near Kismayo, a pivotal city in southern Somalia. While the immediate aftermath yielded no reported casualties or damage, the significance of this incident extends beyond mere statistics, revealing a complex tapestry of local…

Somalia’s Emergence: A Glimmer of Hope in the Global Peace Index For the first time in years, Somalia has climbed out of the shadows of the world's most insecure nations, according to the latest Global Peace Index. The country now ranks 151 out of 163 countries, moving away from the notorious bottom ten. While this new ranking signifies a step forward for a nation long defined by conflict, it simultaneously highlights the multifaceted challenges that remain in achieving lasting peace. A Milestone Amidst Turbulence…

‘If I can’t work, why am I here?’ A Somali man’s plea in an anxious English town On a gray afternoon in Nuneaton’s market square, shoppers ferried plastic bags past a man who says he wants to go home — not to his hostel, and not to the Britain he’s lived in for two decades, but to Somalia. It’s a jarring sentiment in a town on edge about migration, but for 50-year-old Yusuf Ali Hamud, the calculation is simple: “I don’t feel safe here,” he told Sky News in an interview. “Back home, now, I’m safe. I want to go back.” Hamud…

In the Shadows of Conflict: Somalia's Ongoing Battle Against Terrorism As the sun rises over the arid landscapes of Somalia, a dual battle rages on—one against the unforgiving elements of nature and the other against the relentless tide of terrorism. The struggle to fortify this fragile nation against factions like Al-Shabaab and ISIS has intensified, drawing not just the resolve of local forces but also the strategic intervention of international allies, particularly the United States. Demonstrating Resilience The U.S.…

Egyptian Troops Deploy to Somalia: A New Chapter in Regional Dynamics MOGADISHU, Somalia – As the sun rises over the verdant hills of Middle Shabelle, a new chapter is unfolding in Somalia's ongoing battle against the militant group Al-Shabaab. Egyptian troops have joined the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) to help restore peace in a region that has long felt the heavy hand of violence. This moment, however, carries complexities that resonate far beyond the borders of Somalia as geopolitical…