Somalia

Ugandan troops kill senior Al-Shabaab commander in Lower Shabelle MOGADISHU — Ugandan forces serving with the African Union mission in Somalia say they have killed a senior Al-Shabaab operative in an ambush in the volatile Lower Shabelle region, a development that comes as Somalia struggles with shrinking international support and a partial drawdown of peacekeepers. The operation UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Forces) units operating under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) reported…

A strike in Sanaag and the question of who counts as a target The killing of a traditional elder in the contested Sanaag region of northern Somalia has reopened raw questions about intelligence, accountability and the politics of a war that has stretched into its third decade. The U.S. Africa Command said the man, identified as Abdullahi Omar Abdi, was “responsible for procuring and transferring illegal weapons” for the militant group Al-Shabaab and that the strike that killed him on Sept. 13 was carried out “to degrade…

In Somalia, a Public Pledge of Loyalty Raises Stakes Ahead of Fragile Elections MOGADISHU — When Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre walked through the departure hall of Aden Adde International Airport this week, he was not merely inspecting toilets and trash bins. He was, in effect, rehearsing a partnership — an explicit commitment to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that has been rare in Somalia’s recent politics. "I will never run for president against President , who entrusted me to serve Somalia as PM," Hamza said during…

Türkiye-Somalia Relations: A Robust Partnership with Deep Roots In the heart of Mogadishu, the air thrums with the whirl of advanced Turkish-made helicopters, a testament to the deep and evolving relationship between Somalia and Türkiye. This strong cooperative bond has its roots in shared challenges and mutual goals, particularly in defense and economic development, as noted by Somalia's Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. A Relationship Forged in Adversity Reflecting on the pivotal year of 2011, Fiqi recalled President…

Egypt announces troop deployment to Somalia, intensifying Horn of Africa contest Egypt has announced it will deploy troops to Somalia under a bilateral security agreement, a move Cairo says is intended to bolster counter‑terrorism operations and help stabilize the war‑torn Horn of Africa nation. Officials described the steps as the completion of planning for the deployment, but they provided few operational details, leaving open questions about the size, mandate and timetable of the force. What Cairo says Egyptian…

U.S. halts support for Somalia’s elite Danab commandos, raising alarm as AU forces prepare to leave MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States has suspended its support for Somalia’s elite Danab special forces, reliable sources told Axadle on Monday, a move that could reshape the fragile security balance as African Union troops prepare to withdraw next year. The decision, described to journalists by sources who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject, follows growing U.S. concerns about “accountability…

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…