Somalia

U.S. Envoy Stands Firm with Somalia, Urges Peaceful Solutions Amid Regional Strife ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — U.S. Special Envoy Mike Hammer made it unequivocally clear: Washington backs Somalia's territorial sovereignty. From within the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Hammer's words carried weight, "Hear this plainly, the United States stands with Somalia's sovereignty and unity, firmly and clearly." The backdrop to Hammer's declaration involves a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and…

BAIDOA, Somalia - Sunday's al-Shabaab attack on a military outpost in Baidoa has been attributed to a recent military revamp, according to multiple security sources. Militants stormed the outpost in Baidoa, Southwest's regional hub, leading to a fierce battle that ended with two deaths and three critical injuries. The raid took place early in the morning, catching many off-guard. Insiders revealed that some security personnel from the attacked site had been redeployed to Yaqbariweyne to bolster local forces amid a skirmish…

Ethiopia-Somalia Talks in Turkey Delayed Amid Escalating Tensions ANKARA, Turkey - The high-stakes discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia, which many had hoped would ease rising tensions, have been shelved for now. This unexpected delay could further elevate the stress between the conflicting nations. According to informed sources, the pause might fan the flames of hostility even more. Turkey, eager to facilitate the dialogue, has already seen two failed attempts. They had proposed a third round of…

BOSASO, Somalia - In a striking turn of events, the Somali government has put the kibosh on all flights to Bosaso Airport, bringing operations — including those by Ethiopian Airlines — to a grinding halt for today. This drastic action arises amid escalating beefs over who runs the airport and security concerns flagged by the Northeastern State Security Forces (PSF). The PSF had previously put airlines, Ethiopian Airlines included, on notice to steer clear of Bosaso Airport until things got back to how they were…

Somalia's Tough Choices: Rebel Support or Diplomatic Embrace? NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia and Ethiopia have been navigating a venomous spat that, if left unchecked, could unleash chaos in the Horn of Africa, potentially allowing terrorist factions to slip through the cracks. Somalia claims Ethiopia has overstepped its territorial bounds by striking a deal with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed autonomous region of Somalia. According to the agreement, Ethiopia secures 20 kilometers of Red Sea access to erect a military base and…

Al-Shabaab's Big Move on Key Military Base North of Kismayo KISMAYO, Somalia — Just when dawn was cracking open Sunday, the militant group Al-Shabaab made a brazen move on a military outpost in Jana Abdalle, a settlement about 60 kilometers north of Kismayo, the bustling capital of Somalia's Lower Juba region. The assailants met their match as the Jubaland regional forces mounted a formidable defense, culminating in a fierce showdown that left casualties in its wake. Reports from the ground detail that the hostilities…

Somalia's foreign minister has hinted at backing Ethiopian rebels if Ethiopia proceeds with its accord with Somaliland. Abdi Moalim Fiqi responded on Universal TV on September 12. "Somalia may consider engaging with armed factions opposing the Ethiopian regime. It's an open avenue if Ethiopia keeps pushing," said Fiqi. He emphasized that nothing drastic has occurred yet. "We're not at that stage, but the option is open. If they persist with hostility and that dubious agreement, that’s a path we could take — to support,…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States is calling on Somalia and Ethiopia to settle their disputes through diplomacy. It's closely watching the escalating tensions between these two nations, which teeter on the edge of conflict over boundary issues.

Somalia: Devastating Explosions Rock Youth Photography Hub in Mogadishu, Leaving Five Dead MOGADISHU, Somalia - Over the weekend, a series of catastrophic roadside blasts in Mogadishu's Kahda district resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to eight more, according to local officials. The explosions struck a beloved hangout where youths gather to take photos, sparking fresh fears concerning the safety in Somalia's capital. Abdullahi Sheikh Abdirahman, Kahda's district commissioner, confirmed the…

Somalia contended that the embassy's accounts at Premier Bank Limited should be shielded by diplomatic immunity. Yet, Justice Mabeya pointed out that Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) doesn't cover commercial dealings. He decreed that sovereign immunity is inapplicable to states partaking in business activities like contractual engagements. The Somali embassy's envoy, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, declared in an affidavit that the contested funds comprised fees from those applying for passports…