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**Baidoa, Somalia (AX)** — In a shocking display of force, Al-Shabab militants unleashed a wave of mortar attacks late Sunday night against a military base situated in the Barujed area. This base lies on the periphery of Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of Somalia’s Southwest state. What is particularly chilling is that the base represents one of the most fortified installations near Baidoa, underscoring the escalating tensions in a region that has seen a worrying uptick in militant activity in recent weeks. The…

Strategic Strikes Against Al-Shabaab: A Collaborative Effort in Somalia October 5, 2023 AADAN YABAAL, Somalia - The socio-political landscape of Somalia has once again shifted as the Somali National Army (SNA) executed a calculated offensive against the entrenched Al-Shabaab militants. This operation, underscored by international collaboration, highlights the ongoing quest to reclaim pivotal towns across the nation. In the strategic…

Ugandan Soldiers' Sacrifice in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the relentless heart of conflict, the air in Lower Shabelle's Sabiid-Anole was heavy with anticipation. A three-day joint operation spearheaded by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), alongside the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), pushed fiercely against Al-Shabaab militants. Yet, this bravado came at a steep price: the loss of seven courageous Ugandan soldiers. Confirming…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AX) — After a two-day hiatus marked by protests against rampant extortion, Somali-run spaza shops in Khayelitsha's Site C township reopened on Friday. The decision to shut down wasn’t made lightly; local traders felt compelled to act as the threat from gangs escalated to levels that were simply unbearable. Imagine a community reliant on small, informal shops for daily essentials, which suddenly find themselves devoid of those crucial resources. June 11 and 12 felt particularly bleak for many…

Burundian Troops Withdraw from Xawaadley Amidst Flood and Operational Challenges MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a recent announcement, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) confirmed the strategic withdrawal of Burundian Defence Forces from Xawaadley, a pivotal town located northwest of Mogadishu. This decision comes in the wake of severe flooding that has affected the area. Interestingly, the narrative took a turn when the Al-Shabaab militants declared that they had seized the…

Al-Shabaab Forces Burundian Troops to Retreat from Strategic Somali Town MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a significant shift, Al-Shabaab, the notorious militant group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has successfully ousted Burundian forces from the strategically vital town of Xawaadley in Middle Shabelle. This event unfolds barely a month after the Somali National Army faced its own setback in Adan Yabaal. Reports abound of Burundian troops and local allies being compelled to vacate their posts in Xawaadley, situated roughly 50…

Tragic Violence in Cape Town's Somali Community CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AX) — In a heartbreaking incident late Wednesday evening, two young Somali men, ages 18 and 20, lost their lives in a brutal shooting that occurred in the Wallacedene neighbourhood, located on the northeastern fringes of Cape Town. This tragic event has left the local community shocked and questioning the pervasive issue of violence in their midst. Authorities have reported that around 9:45…

Struggles and Resilience: The Ongoing Fight Against Al-Shabab In recent months, the landscape of Somalia's fight against militant Islamist groups has shifted once again. Al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated organization, has regrouped and is now launching a series of counter-attacks, underscoring the complexities of the conflict that has persisted for almost two decades. In a significant show of military strength, the United States and Somali forces executed a carefully planned airstrike targeting these militants. This…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a deeply concerning turn of events, Al-Shabaab militants have successfully seized control of the strategic town of Aadan Yabaal, located in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. This takeover followed a dawn assault that involved alarming explosions and hours of intense combat, according to local sources relayed by AX. The assault, which commenced early on Wednesday morning, spanned more than five grueling hours and featured the deployment of heavy weaponry from both Al-Shabaab and Somali…

U.S. Military Responds to Al-Shabaab Takeover MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the ever-evolving landscape of international conflict, the unexpected capture of the Adan Yabaal town by Al-Shabaab militants has provoked a decisive response from the U.S. Africa Command. On Wednesday, during torrential rains that swept across the region, the Somali National Army (SNA) found itself outmaneuvered—losing grip on this strategically significant town. The rains posed a challenge for aerial surveillance, creating an unintended shield…