troops

Somalia deploys newly trained Custodial Corps to front lines as fight with al‑Shabab intensifies MOGADISHU — Somalia has rushed newly trained members of its Custodial Corps to embattled front lines, a sign of how the government is widening its war effort as clashes with al‑Shabab escalate across the country’s south and center. Maj. Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Aden, who commands the corps, said Tuesday the fresh contingent will reinforce units already engaged in the field and help “hold the line” in contested areas. “The new…

Namibia sends troops and helicopters as fire devours a third of Etosha National Park Wind-driven flames have ripped through roughly one-third of Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s most important wildlife reserves, prompting Namibia to deploy helicopters and hundreds of additional troops to bolster firefighting efforts. The blaze — believed to have started at a charcoal production site outside the park — has killed wildlife, shredded grazing and breeding ground, and prompted sharp criticism of the government’s…

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…

Egypt’s Troops Prepare to Join Somalia Mission, Recasting the Horn’s Security Equation The Egyptian flag will soon fly alongside others on the front lines of Somalia’s long war with al-Shabab. After a week of site visits and quiet consultations in Mogadishu, an Egyptian military team has wrapped up an assessment that clears the way for Cairo’s first troop deployment to the African Union Support Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM. On paper, it’s a straightforward move—one more nation committing forces to an African Union effort…

The Rising Tensions in Mandera: A Call for Action Against Alleged Jubaland Forces MANDERA, Kenya - The quiet, arid landscape of Mandera is facing a storm of accusations and political demands, thrusting this northern Kenyan county into the global spotlight. Reports of alleged Jubaland forces operating within its borders have ignited a political firestorm, pushing the Kenyan government into a crucible of national security and sovereignty challenges. The urgency is palpable as local and national figures call for decisive…

Northeastern State's Mountain Offensive: Striking at the Heart of ISIS in Somalia In the rugged, sun-scorched mountains of northern Somalia, a new chapter in the relentless struggle against terrorism is unfolding. Northeastern State security forces successfully executed a strategic operation against ISIS fighters in the Calmiskaad mountains, a formidable landscape where militants have entrenched themselves for years. The Battle in the Mountains On Tuesday, amidst the arid peaks and thorny undergrowth, Northeastern State…

U.S. Military Aids Northeastern State in Battle Against ISIS: A Complex Alliance BOSASO, Somalia - The rugged terrain of Somalia’s Al-Miskad Mountains echoes with the relentless pursuit of ISIS militants as the U.S. Africa Command intensifies its airstrikes alongside the Northeastern State Counter-Terrorism Forces. This marks another chapter in the sustained effort to dismantle ISIS from the Horn of Africa, where pockets of militant resistance persist. The Joint Efforts It all began in December 2024 when U.S. Africa…

Amid Stalemate and Struggle: Somalia’s Relentless Battle Against Al-Shabaab Mogadishu, Somalia – In the dense forests of the Galgaduud region, where the air is thick with tension and uncertainty, the Somali National Army (SNA) recently launched a decisive operation against the insurgent group Al-Shabaab. Backed by the locally celebrated Macawisley militia, they struck a significant blow, neutralizing dozens of militants in an area where Al-Shabaab’s influence runs deep. The Operation: A United Front The operation, led by…

Ethiopian Troops Hold Soldiers Amid Tensions Between FGS and Jubaland Over Elections DOLOW, Somalia - In the Gedo region, Ethiopian forces at Dolow airport have reportedly detained six individuals appearing to be soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA), sources revealed on Tuesday. Witnesses stated that the arrested individuals arrived from Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, camouflaged in civilian apparel. It's a head-scratcher at the moment as the precise motive for their detention hasn't been…

What's cooking in the Tigray region two years after peace was declared? Back in the day, the Pretoria agreements were supposed to put a lid on the Tigray conflict, which had claimed close to 600,000 lives. Ethiopian troops, alongside their Eritrean buddies, had faced off against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Eritrea didn't sign the peace deal, though, and its soldiers are still hanging around like uninvited guests. Folks in these border areas feel like they've been hung out to dry. That's what Clothilde Hazard, our…