Somalia

Garowe (AX) — On a remarkable Friday, Northeastern State security forces took decisive action in an aggressive offensive against the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) nestled in the Calmiskaad mountain range in the Bari region. This carefully coordinated operation signifies not just a tactical maneuver, but a resonant shift in the fight against terrorism in Somalia. As the sun rose over the terrain, hopes soared that this might mark the culmination of a relentless struggle against an insidious threat. The focus of this…

Hargeisa (AX) — In recent days, the North Western State of Somalia government has leveled serious allegations against the Federal Government of Somalia, accusing it of playing an active role in the violent clashes that erupted between North Western State of Somalia forces and the SSC-Khaatumo administration in the Dhuumadare area of the Sanaag region. This accusation, which emerged through an official press statement from North Western State of Somalia's Ministry of Defense on Friday, paints a dire picture of the region's…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a turn of events that has stirred significant concern, the Somali federal government has raised serious allegations against Sivuyile Thandikhaya Bam, the Acting Head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The government contends that Bam is not just undermining Somalia’s development but has also shown alarming sympathies toward Al-Shabaab, the notorious militant group linked to al-Qaeda. During a recent interview with Somali National Television, Foreign Minister Ahmed…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Thursday, a significant escalation in hostilities erupted between North Western State of Somalia forces and SSC-Khaatumo troops in the Daanweyne area of the Sanaag region, further intensifying a conflict rooted in a complex land dispute that has plagued both parties for years. The tremors of this clash are felt not only in the immediate vicinity of the fighting but resonate throughout the greater landscape of Somali politics, drawing in international observers and fueling the deeper, historical skirmishes…

The Somali government announced on Thursday the elimination of 47 militants affiliated with al-Shabaab in two distinct operations soon to become the subject of more whispers than conversations. Curiously, in the central districts, an airstrike conducted by joint Somali and US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces dispatched 12 fighters into oblivion. In the dusty expanse of the southwest, another 35 found themselves meeting a similar fate during a botched invasion of a military stronghold. Do numbers alone tell the harrowing tale…

Strategic Villages in Somalia: A Complex Tapestry of Challenges MOGADISHU, Somalia - Picture this: the early morning mist still clings to Mogadishu’s skyline. Last Wednesday, a sense of urgency permeated the air as reports emerged that Somali National Army (SNA) troops had withdrawn from the village of Aboorey—one that bore witness to relentless clashes with the notorious al-Shabaab militants. This unfolding drama isn’t isolated; it reflects the delicate balance of power in this fractured region. In tandem with this, a…

North Western State of Somalia Urges Immediate Transfer of Detainees from Somalia Mogadishu (AX) — In a move that has captured international attention, the North Western State of Somalia government has urgently requested the Somali federal authorities to transfer 25 detainees, taken from Las Anod, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This request comes amidst accusations that the federal government is violating international humanitarian law and leveraging the detainees for political gain.…

In recent years, the relationship between Türkiye and Somalia has blossomed, evolving into a robust partnership across a range of sectors. This transformation is attributed to the diligent efforts of both nations, particularly highlighted by the insightful words of Somalia's Foreign Minister, Ali Mohamed Omar. He emphasizes the growing areas of cooperation that have nurtured these ties, particularly praising Türkiye's pivotal role as a mediator in addressing regional challenges. One only needs to look at a Turkish…

The Complex Dynamics of North Western State of Somalia and Somalia: A Fork in the Road Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant development reverberating throughout the Horn of Africa, the self-declared republic of North Western State of Somalia has formally ceased negotiations with the federal government of Somalia. The announcement, made by North Western State of Somalia’s Council of Ministers this past Wednesday, comes on the heels of a contentious visit by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Las Anod—a city marked by…

On a recent Sunday, US President Donald Trump made a bold declaration regarding terrorism and its presence in Somalia. He stressed that the United States would not stand idly by while “terrorists” attempted to blend in among innocent civilians in the Somali landscape. “We will support the Somali People,” he stated emphatically on social media. His call to action was directed at the Houthis, a group based in Yemen that has been targeting Israeli-affiliated vessels as part of their campaign of solidarity with Gaza, a region in…