Somalia&

According to a statement issued by Somalia’s Ministry of Information, both vessels and the weapons on board were destroyed, along with an unknown number of individuals. The exact location of the strike was not disclosed.

This latest operation is part of intensified military efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia, working closely with international allies, particularly the United States, to dismantle Al-Shabaab networks and prevent destabilisation in liberated areas.

The town attacked on Wednesday, Adan Yabaal, lies around 245 kilometres north of Mogadishu and has been used as an operating base for raids on Al-Shabaab.

Past elections were indirect, with elders and clan representatives selecting leaders. Until now, civic leaders in Mogadishu were appointed by the president.

Specifically, Sudan wants the court to compel the UAE to stop all forms of assistance to the RSF, which it argues has enabled the militia to carry out mass killings, displacement, and other crimes against humanity.

The measures target individuals accused of playing critical roles in financing and supporting Al-Shabaab’s operations, including fundraising, enforcing illegal taxation, and facilitating attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

This latest disaster highlights Somalia's vulnerability to climate extremes, where cycles of drought and flooding regularly compound the challenges of a nation recovering from decades of conflict.

The Somali government continues its offensive against the militants on multiple fronts, with international partners providing critical support to security forces.

The electoral commission said it has completed all logistical preparations for the upcoming elections, including the provision of election materials and the designation of polling stations across the country.

Starlink operates in over 140 countries globally, with Somalia now becoming its 21st African market.

Bam reaffirmed AUSSOM's commitment to working closely with the Somali government and the SNA to protect civilians, safeguard major supply routes, and liberate areas under the control of Al-Shabaab militants.

Hamza thanked the people of Las Anod for their warm welcome and promised to listen to them and work with them to improve their lives.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the first quarter of 2025 has seen a sharp increase in the number of weapon-related injuries, placing immense pressure on hospitals already facing resource shortages.

National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) Director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sambololshe” who hailed the late Gen. Dafle for pioneering its first intelligence agency NSS.

The Islamic prayer for rain, known as Salat al-Istisqa, is a sunnah (non-obligatory) prayer typically performed in an open area, much like Eid prayers.

The mission's exit strategy will be informed by progressive improvement in the capacity of the Somali security forces to take over full responsibility for security in Somalia, including the extension of state authority and government functions.

The agreement gave the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) rights for oil exploration in two and three-dimensional seismic exploration activities in the three land blocks of 16,000 square kilometres in Somalia.

Somalia and Egypt have long enjoyed cordial relations. Both nations are members of the Arab League and maintain diplomatic missions in each other’s capitals.

The soldiers had attempted to sell government-issued rifles after fleeing the frontlines in the Middle Shabelle region, according to Brig. Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Aden, also known as Commander Shub.

On the day of his burial, as his body was being escorted through Mogadishu, a clash erupted between armed supporters and security personnel. The procession, attended by thousands, turned chaotic when security forces opened fire.

Political analysts view the visit as an opportunity for Somalia to once and for all end the long-protracted secessionist agenda by Somaliland.

The realignment of AU troops from ATMIS to AUSSOM is expected to be completed by June 30 this year, ahead of the launch of phase two of the mission, which is scheduled to begin on July 1 with a focus on securing AUSSOM positions and supporting offensive operations.

PM Hamza said the new ID directive will help eliminate decades-long gaps in personal identification, curb fraud and enhance public safety, especially in the capital Mogadishu where crime is rampant.

The peacekeepers were clearing a landing area for a helicopter to land when they came under attack.

The international community praised the President’s initiative, describing it as both timely and necessary. They urged all stakeholders to convene urgently to develop a unified agreement on national priorities.

PM Hamza made these remarks during a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Defence, where Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi officially took over from Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, who has now been appointed to head the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport.

Sunday’s attack came barely hours after several mortars were fired late on Saturday near residential areas in the city, injuring several people and damaging property, according to local authorities and witnesses.

A joint communique issued after their meeting at Nakasero State House in Kampala said the two leaders discussed various issues of importance to both countries, including reviewing a defence pact between the two nations.

The attack targeted several locations across the Boondheere and Warta Nabadda districts, including the National Theater and a crowded public square.

Among the displaced are people who had returned from refugee camps in Kenya, as well as others who had already been displaced within Somalia due to ongoing conflict and drought.

The report further estimates that over 230,000 new IDPs will be displaced between April and June, with conflict and drought being the primary drivers.

The airstrike conducted today by AFRICOM focused on ISIS members and leaders who were congregating in the Southeastern area of Bosasso, Puntland.

This marks the first meeting between the two sides in the competition, with both teams aiming for a strong start in what promises to be a competitive group.

The De Havilland Dash 8 (DH8D) aircraft operated by the UNSOS was departing from Somalia to a yet-to-be-disclosed location when the incident happened.

Military operations alone will not defeat Al-Shabaab. A comprehensive strategy must include political engagement with local communities, clan elders, and civil society to weaken Al-Shabaab’s grip at the grassroots level.

Turkey pledged to enhance military training for Somali forces and boost intelligence-sharing to weaken Al-Shabaab’s networks.

The offer could give the United States a firmer military presence in the Horn of Africa region as it looks to counter the threat from militants in Somalia and across the region.

This support comes at a critical moment as Somalia strengthens its institutions and prepares to assume full security responsibility in the future.

Youssouf pledged to engage with Somalia's international partners and emphasised the importance of sustained support for Somalia in its battle with the militant group al-Shabaab.

The Somalia National News Agency (SONNA) later said the two leaders discussed counterterrorism, regional stability, and Somalia’s commitment to AU reforms.

The aircraft, operated by Trident Aviation Ltd, had departed from Dhobley and was heading to Aden Abdulle International Airport when it went down.

If Mogadishu falls, the consequences will reverberate far beyond Somalia’s borders.

This latest victory comes just a day after an assassination attempt on Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose convoy was targeted by Al-Shabaab militants in Hirshabelle on Tuesday night.

Prime Minister Hamza said the National Transformation Plan seeks to strengthen and capacitate various government agencies and Ministries to better serve and enable Somalia to develop and prosper by 2029 in line with vision 2060.

Al-Shabaab militants unsuccessfully tried to take down President Hassan after the attack on his motorcade as it was travelling through the capital Mogadishu.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, 2025, the Sahel is now the most affected region globally, accounting for over half of all deaths from terrorism in 2024.

The journalists were taken around a packed warehouse with election materials. The election body chief said political parties’ elections are ongoing and that soon the public will get an opportunity to elect their civic leaders. This will be the first time since 1967 that universal elections will take place in Somalia.

The Association of Independent Somali Journalists condemned the attack and extended its condolences to the late journalist’s family in a statement shared on X by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Reports indicate that a convoy carrying Somali President Hassan Sheikh was passing through the area at the time.

This reshuffle is perceived as a move to bolster the effectiveness of Somalia’s government and improve strategic sectors, including security, commerce, and infrastructure.

After his re-election in May 2022, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a total war against Al-Shabaab.

As a result, Speaker Madoobe declared Dr Abdullahi’s seat, number HOP201 in the northern Somaliland State, vacant and directed the Election and Boundaries Commission, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for holding elections, to immediately fill the position through a by-election.

The Somali government’s push for legal intervention follows the execution of Somali national Mohamed Nur Hussein in February 2025.

Sudanese officials said they rejected the proposal by the United States, and officials from Somalia said they were unaware of any contacts, AP reported.

This year's winner was Abdirahman Abdullahi Osman from Southwest State who took home the first cash prize of about Sh2.5 million.

The Trump administration has marked over 4,000 Somalis for deportation as part of the nearly two million “illegal immigrants” that have been identified for deportation from the US.

Hours after the initial attack, government forces were trying to flush out Al Shabaab fighters, some of whom had been killed in nearby alleys, said Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from the town, the capital of Hiraan region.

Dahir Amin Jesow, a federal lawmaker from Baladweyne, said so far at least four people had been killed but that "we are still counting casualties".

This follows the death of Abukar Abdulle Raage Gar-Maqaate, a senior military officer who was recently killed near Boos-Hareeri in the Middle Shabelle region.

The President told the women leaders that elections and security are key priorities for his government and urged them to support him and the government in fulfilling its mandate.

The sanctions will remain in place until at least December 13, 2025, with member states authorised to seize vessels delivering weapons to Al-Shabaab.

The Somalia-EU programme, which dates back to 2014, has been instrumental in supporting the East African nation as it continues to recover from more than two decades of civil war and a lack of state control.

The government confirmed that these individuals had cashed in on the seven-day amnesty by renouncing their previously held terrorism ideologies.

As the drought continues to threaten lives and livelihoods, the international community is being urged to step up and provide the necessary support to prevent another catastrophic crisis in Somalia.

The insurgents were killed by the Somali National Army and international partners in the Biya Cadde area of Hirshabelle.

Hassan reminded the Somali public to pray for peace and stability in their country, to forgive each other and to stand with their government in its fight against terrorism.

The Mandera project sought to improve security along the border with Ethiopia and Somalia, with the hope that these efforts would eventually lead to the reopening of borders to facilitate free trade and the movement of people.

In an exclusive interview with Abdijalil Osman, a Somali YouTuber, President Ahmed addressed various political issues, including tensions with the central government, Jubaland elections, the Raaskaambooni conflict, and his political future.

In an interview with Universal TV, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, said that the two nations are engaged in discussions and aim to reach a framework agreement by June.

The Puntland president thanked all countries that continue to help Puntland in the fight against ISIS, saying without their support Puntland and Somalia would not have succeeded.

The study report says 3.4 million people are already experiencing crisis levels, or higher, of hunger in Somalia, and the number is projected to rise to 4.4 million (23 per cent of the population) between April and June 2025.

Mogadishu airport was hit by at least one mortar shell shortly before Abiy's plane landed on Thursday, despite all roads around the high security complex being closed, four local residents and media said.

Mogadishu was under an overnight lockdown ahead of PM Abiy’s arrival, with major roads in and around the airport closed off and movement restricted.

Accordingly, the composition of AUSSOM troops will be as follows: Uganda (4,500), Ethiopia (2,500), Djibouti (1,520), Kenya (1,410), with Egypt (1,091) as a new troop-contributing country.

Without the timely disbursement of funds, AUSSOM’s effectiveness is at risk, potentially reversing the gains made in countering Al-Shabaab insurgents and stabilising Somalia.

Al Shabaab attacked four villages in the Middle Shabelle region with vehicles laden with explosives on Thursday morning, and briefly captured two of them before being repulsed in heavy fighting, two local residents and a defence ministry spokesperson said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compared the Ankara Declaration to the Development Road project, calling it a similarly strategic initiative with the potential to foster long-term stability and economic growth.

The recruitment campaigns targeted regional member states and Yemen, attempting to integrate foreign terrorist fighters into structured hierarchies.

The crisis is already forcing families to leave their homes in search of food, water, and medical aid, raising concerns about displacement and worsening protection risks.

The airstrike authorised by President Donald Trump was meant to degrade ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks, a top priority for his administration.

The airstrike is part of a broader effort by Puntland security forces, who have been actively liberating vast areas from ISIS control for more than a month.

The force entered the theatre without adequate funding and troops following the lingering stalemate over which states would be allowed to send troops to Somalia.

Under the new rule, all travellers, regardless of nationality or age, must present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate when entering or exiting the country. The vaccination must be administered at least 10 days before travel to ensure immunity.

The unfolding humanitarian situation in Kiunga has put a strain on the host community, with Lamu County now seeking additional support from national and international aid agencies to avert a full-blown crisis.

The US has periodically conducted airstrikes in Somalia under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

A similar agreement is set to be signed with Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party (PP) in Addis Ababa on Friday.

Abdiwali dismissed any concerns about election interference, stating that the government's focus extends beyond just the upcoming elections.

In line with the directive, the police have launched sweeping operations to arrest all undocumented foreigners and enforce a ban on street begging which was also cited by the Ministry as a security concern.

Local residents and soldiers gathered to look at the grim sight, holding their noses because of the smell from the carcasses.