troops

Mogadishu (AX) – A remarkable step has been taken yet again by the Somali National Army’s elite unit known as the Danab Special Forces. They recently participated in an internationally significant event, the Justified Accord military exercise in Kenya, marking their second involvement in this formidable gathering. Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Salah Abdi, the Commanding Officer of the Somali Special Forces, played a prominent role as he attended the closing ceremony held in Kenya. His presence was not only symbolic but…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the rugged terrain of the Al-Miskaad Mountains, where silence is broken only by whispers of the wind, a dramatic clash unfolded. Over the past week, Northeastern State's security forces, aided by UAE airstrikes, embarked on a meticulously coordinated counterterrorism operation. Their target? Insidious pockets of ISIS militants lurking in these highlands, hidden in plain sight for years. From a bird’s-eye view, the operation might seem like an intense chess game played over harsh landscapes. As…

In the quiet corners of West Africa, the landscape of military alliances is subtly shifting, as if echoing an unspoken dialogue between the past and the present. France, known for its significant military footprint across the African continent, has chosen a different path in recent months. This transformation, while not definitive, marks a chapter in the intricate narrative of international relations and defense strategies. During a ceremony in the vibrant heart of Côte d'Ivoire's capital, French Defence Minister…

Mogadishu (AX) — It appears that the resilient and determined forces of Somalia, coupled with the valorous local militias, have once again made strides forward. On Friday, an intriguing ripple spread through the Middle Shabelle region as they reclaimed the pivotal towns of El Baraf and Miirtaqwa. These areas had fallen into the clutch of the Al-Shabaab militants, albeit fleetingly. Was this maneuver by Al-Shabaab a sign of desperation? Perhaps. The tides turned rapidly, and the towns now resound with a newfound hope,…

BOSASO, Somalia - The crackle of gunfire and the echo of strategic commands reverberated through the eastern stretches of the Cal-Miskaad mountains as the Northeastern State Defense Forces, fueled by a steadfast resolve, made a landmark advance. What’s unfolding here, you might ask? It is an audacious campaign against the entrenched forces of ISIS. These formidable terrains, once bastions of militant fortification, are now being reclaimed at a pace the world cannot ignore. What drives these forces, often operating with…

Mogadishu (AX) – On a brisk morning in the Ba’adweyne district of southern Mudug, the sense of anticipation was palpable. The Somali army forces, together with Galmudug Dervish forces and vigilant local militias, embarked on a meticulously planned security operation. Their mission? To dismantle the lurking menace of Al-Shabaab that had embedded itself in this heartland, exploiting innocent civilians through extortion and fear. One might wonder: how does a community…

Baidoa (AX) — In a turn of events that can only be described as harrowing yet hopeful, the security forces in Somalia's South West State have succeeded in rescuing four children, much to the relief of their anguished families. These children—each tender and impressionable—found themselves in the clutches of the notorious Al-Shabaab, a scourge force bent on enlisting them into their militant ranks as child soldiers. Can one truly grasp the enormity of such a violation? Local authorities announced this heartening news on…

Underneath the sun-scorched skies of Luuq, a town steeped in both history and hardship, a poignant narrative unfolds—a story of transformation, redemption, and perhaps, hope. Isn't it curious how one decision can forever alter the arc of a life once lost to extremism? In an eerie yet expectant silence, Somali security forces watched as Abuukar Aadan Buulle, a man once entrenched in the militant web of Al-Shabaab, emerged from the shadows to renounce his past. A figure who had navigated through the underbelly of terror,…

In the tale of a sunset confrontation between regional determination and insurgent defiance, Northeastern State officials have shared a glimpse into their ongoing effort to dislodge ISIS militants from their diminishing foothold. Against the craggy backdrop of the Al Miskaad mountains, the regional government’s resolve shines through as they make strides in restricting these militants to a mere 15-kilometre mountainous enclave. "There was a time," recounts Northeastern State’s Minister of Information, Mohamud Aydid Dirir,…

Beledweyne (AX) – There are days in Beledweyne when the air hums with the kind of tension you cannot quite articulate. This Thursday was such a day. Muse Salad Wehliye, the esteemed Governor of Hiiraan, took a momentous step forward, as he examined the newly marshalled ranks of the Ma'awisleey local forces. These troops gathered under the morning sun, preparing for an impending campaign aimed at dislodging the entrenched al-Shabaab sanctuaries in western Hiiraan. These Ma'awisleey fighters, hailing proudly from the…