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Recent Appearances... Rantburg

Africa Horn
Fierce Clashes Between Local Militia and Al-Shabaab in Central Somalia
2025-05-20
[ShabelleMedia] Heavy fighting
... as opposed to the more usual name-calling or slapsy...
has erupted over the past two days along the border between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, involving local community militia known as Macawiisley, backed by Somali National Army (SNA) forces, and the al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
The battles, described as intense, have resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The conflict initially broke out at the regional border but soon spread to areas near the Aadan Yabaal district in Middle Shabelle.

Colonel Khaliif, a Macawiisley commander, confirmed that Arclight airstrike
...KABOOM!...
s targeted al-Shabaab positions where some Macawiisley fighters were previously ambushed.

He stated that al-Shabaab suffered heavy losses, forcing them to retreat from the frontlines where they had launched the attack.

Local militia forces reportedly pursued fleeing al-Shabaab fighters into surrounding villages under Aadan Yabaal’s administration, continuing the military pressure in the region.

The Ministry of information reported that over 70 al-Shabaab members were killed in the festivities without providing evidence as there is no independent sources confirming the claims.

Drone Strike Mistakenly Hits Anti-Al-Shabaab Militia in Somalia, Killing 12

[Garowe] A drone strike in central Somalia mistakenly hit a pro-government militia, killing at least 12 fighters, officials and residents said on Sunday.

The strike occurred near Moqokori, a town in the Hiran region where Somali government troops and the Ma’awisley militia were engaged in coordinated operations aimed at pushing back Al-Shabaab insurgents. The two forces have been working closely in recent years to reclaim territory from the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.

A senior regional security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drone was part of ongoing counterterrorism operations but misidentified the target, striking fighters from the Ma’awisley militia.

“Twelve members of the Ma’awisley militia were killed and dozens wounded in the strike,” the official said. “It was a tragic mistake, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the misfire.”

Residents confirmed the strike, saying the militia had recently returned from patrol when they were hit. “We heard a loud explosion and saw smoke rising from the area where the fighters had gathered,” said Hassan Abdi, a resident near Moqokori.

The Somali federal government has not issued an official statement, and it remains unclear whether the drone was operated by Somali forces or international partners, including the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which regularly carries out airstrikes in Somalia targeting Al-Shabaab.

The Ma’awisley militias, made up of local clan fighters, have played a key role in recent offensives aimed at dislodging Al-Shabaab from rural strongholds in central Somalia. The deadly incident risks straining ties between federal forces and community militias, whose collaboration has been crucial to recent battlefield gains and future operations.
Related:
Macawiisley: 2025-05-19 Heavy Fighting Enters Second Day on Border Between Somali Regions
Macawiisley: 2025-05-02 Clan Fighters Strike Al-Shabaab in Central Somalia, Kill Militants and Seize Weapons
Macawiisley: 2025-04-30 Somalia Plans to Retake Al-Shabaab-Held Town Ahead of Major Military Offensive
Related:
Aadan Yabaal district: 2025-03-10 Middle Shabelle — active battlefield vs. Al Shabaab
Related:
Hiiraan: 2025-05-19 Heavy Fighting Enters Second Day on Border Between Somali Regions
Hiiraan: 2025-05-18 Somali Army Brigadier General Killed in Frontline Shooting
Hiiraan: 2025-04-30 Somalia Plans to Retake Al-Shabaab-Held Town Ahead of Major Military Offensive
Related:
Middle Shabelle: 2025-05-19 Good Morning
Middle Shabelle: 2025-05-19 Heavy Fighting Enters Second Day on Border Between Somali Regions
Middle Shabelle: 2025-05-19 Clashes in Nuurdugle, Middle Shabelle as Somali Forces Repel Al-Shabaab Attack
Link


Africa Horn
Somali Army Brigadier General Killed in Frontline Shooting
2025-05-18
[ShabelleMedia] Somali Army’s 26th Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Abdirahman Hujale, was shot and killed on Saturday on the frontlines near Moqokori, in the Hiiraan region.

The shooting was carried out by a soldier named Abdullahi Hassan Ahmed, who was subsequently gunned down by fellow troops at the scene, according to security officials.

The bodies of both the commander and the assailant were airlifted to Mogadishu for further investigation, according to security sources, who spoke to Shabelle Radio.

This marks the second high-profile assassination of a senior military officer this year. Last month, Colonel Nur Farey was also killed near Afgoye, 30 kilometers from Somalia’s capital, in a similar attack by an individual in military uniform.

The killing of Brigadier General Hujale raises concerns about internal security within the Somali military and the potential for ongoing threats within the ranks.

The government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the killing of Commander Hujale.
Garowe adds:
His killing marks the latest in a string of high-profile assassinations of senior Somali military officers since 2022, underscoring the fragile security situation in the Horn of Africa nation.

In April, Lieutenant Colonel Nur Farey, commander of the 14th October Brigade, was killed near Afgooye town in the Lower Shabelle region. He was reportedly shot dead by a soldier while addressing troops at a local base.

Since early 2022, several top Somali military figures have been targeted in similar attacks, often in areas where government forces have been engaged in fierce battles with al Shabaab.

The deaths highlight the persistent dangers faced by Somali military leaders operating in volatile regions. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the federal government for over 15 years and often targets both military personnel and civilians.
Related:
Moqokori: 2025-03-21 Al-Shabaab strikes Halane Base Camp which houses Western Embassies
Moqokori: 2022-10-25 Somalia: Al-Shabaab siege at Tawakal Hotel ended by Jubaland forces
Moqokori: 2022-09-28 More than ten terrorists killed in central Somalia
Related:
Hiiraan : 2025-04-30 Somalia Plans to Retake Al-Shabaab-Held Town Ahead of Major Military Offensive
Hiiraan : 2025-04-22 Somali President meets regional leaders over worsening security, Al-Shabaab resurgence; Somali army chief quits
Hiiraan : 2025-04-20 Tensions Rise in Central Somalia as Al-Shabaab Militants Advance
Link


Africa Horn
AU Forces Convene in Kampala to Boost Somalia Stabilisation as Former Somali Pres. Farmaajo Explains Army Pullback is Strategic
2025-04-24
Does this mean that things are going badly for civil society in Somalia and much too well for Al Shabaab, or is this just the usual diplomatic blithering and posturing? Please help me understand this, dear Reader — I don’t know how to read these tea leaves.
[ShabelleMedia] Senior officials and delegates from Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) gathered in Kampala today for a high-level preparatory meeting. The session precedes an Extra-Ordinary Summit aimed at evaluating ongoing efforts and setting the strategic direction for long-term peace and stability in Somalia.

This summit was agreed upon during the recent official visit of Somali President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Uganda. Leaders resolved to convene under the theme "To Stabilize Somalia," identifying this as the mission’s ultimate objective.

Speaking at the opening of the technical and bigwigs’ meeting, Ambassador John Mugerwa, representing the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the gathering as timely. It comes in the wake of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mandate ending on 31 December 2024.

Ambassador Mugerwa recalled that the African Union Peace and Security Council endorsed AUSSOM’s Concept of Operations in August 2024. He explained that the mission is currently in its first phase, focusing on repositioning troops and transferring key security locations to Somali forces to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities.

"In the spirit of the common African defence and security policy, an attack on one is considered an attack on all," he said. "This is the spirit that has so far guided this struggle from the early days of AMISOM."

He underscored that AUSSOM’s success rests on Somalia’s ability to build and prepare its national security forces, adding that it "hinges on force generation, integration, mentorship, and the readiness of Somali forces."

Condemning the recent spike in attacks by the al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
, Ambassador Mugerwa commended the bravery of Somali forces and their international allies.

"We must not allow al-Shabaab to win," he said, stressing that the meeting presents a critical opportunity to resolve operational issues and establish a clear strategic path.

He further called for stronger financial and logistical support, stating, "The success of this mission will depend in large part on the provision of adequate, predictable and sustainable funding." He acknowledged the crucial contributions of the European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
, the United Kingdom, and other international partners.

He conveyed condolences to those injured and honoured the soldiers from TCCs and Somalia who, "paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia."

Ambassador Mugerwa reaffirmed Uganda’s long-term commitment to Somalia, dating back to its initial troop deployment under AMISOM in 2007. He proposed the creation of a political body to oversee stabilisation efforts, backed by a robust monitoring and evaluation system, and advocated for political reconciliation between Somalia’s federal government, its federal member states, and clan leaders.

The meeting was attended by key military and diplomatic leaders, including Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Prof. Sam Tulya-Muhika; Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding; AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma; and representatives from Djibouti, Egypt, Æthiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

Ex-president Farmaajo defends army pullback as strategic, not defeat

[ShabelleMedia] Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo on Wednesday called on the Somali people to remain “vigilant against terrorist propaganda” as the national army undertakes what he described as “strategic maneuvers” in its fight against Al-Shabaab.

In a formal statement released to the newsrooms, Farmaajo stressed that the army’s recent withdrawal from certain cities should not be interpreted as a defeat. “This is not a sign of weakness,” he said. “It is a calculated repositioning as the armed forces build capacity and prepare for more effective operations against extremist elements.”

The remarks come amid growing public concern and speculation following the Somali National Army’s pullback from several key locations in recent weeks. Farmaajo, who served as president from 2017 to 2022, sought to reassure the nation by pointing to past military gains during his administration.

“Between 2018 and 2020, we successfully liberated numerous cities from terrorist control,” he said, urging the current leadership to build on those achievements by fostering national unity and political stability.

He also extended an appeal to Somalia’s international partners, calling for continued cooperation and assistance. “The support of our friends and allies remains vital to Somalia’s recovery and the strengthening of our national security institutions,” Farmaajo said.

His comments come at a time of heightened insecurity in parts of the country, where the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militant group continues to stage attacks targeting civilians, government institutions, and military personnel.

Somalia is currently undergoing a transitional phase, with ongoing efforts to build a cohesive federal security apparatus and strengthen local governance structures. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is gradually handing over security responsibilities to Somali forces, in line with a phased drawdown plan.

Farmaajo’s statement underscores the complex challenges facing the Somali government as it seeks to maintain territorial control, counter insurgency threats, and navigate political dynamics ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Related:
Farmaajo 11/13/2022 Abu Dhabi must clarify security role in Somalia
Farmaajo 06/11/2022 Somalia lifts Khat ban to boost trade relations with Kenya
Farmaajo 06/11/2022 Ex-Somali Intel Chief admits to being in AQ affiliated group

Link


Africa Horn
Somali President meets regional leaders over worsening security, Al-Shabaab resurgence; Somali army chief quits
2025-04-22
[ShabelleMedia] Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a closed-door meeting with the leaders of the Galmudug
...a semiautonomous region in central Somalia, bordering Puntland on the north. Galmudug is not trying to obtain international recognition as a separate nation, but rather considers itself autonomous within the larger Somali federalism, for what that's worth...
, Hirshabelle, and South West regional states to discuss the deteriorating security situation and the renewed offensive by al-Shabaab
... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
bad boys.

The talks, focused on counterterrorism operations and the bad boy group’s recent resurgence, came in the wake of an al-Shabaab takeover of the central town of Adan Yabal in Middle Shabelle, approximately 245 kilometers north of Mogadishu.

Hirshabelle President Ali Hussein Gudlawe underscored the strategic importance of regaining control of Adan Yabal, describing the group’s presence there as a major challenge to his administration.

Meanwhile,
...back at the shootout, bullets whapped! around Butch as he tried to tie his scarf around his shoulder as a tourniquet......
South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohammed Laftagareen praised the Somali National Army for repelling a recent al-Shabaab assault near Baidoa. He said the attack had been thwarted with several bully boyz killed, their bodies later displayed publicly in the city.

President Mohamud also consulted the regional leaders on a broader political initiative aimed at engaging key stakeholders and civil society to address the country’s fragile security. The initiative seeks to coordinate efforts to retake territories currently under al-Shabaab control and reinforce the national army’s campaign.

Security in Somalia has steadily worsened in recent weeks, with an uptick in attacks targeting military bases in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, fueling public concern and political pressure in the capital.

Somali army chief to resign after setback in Al-Shabaab war

[Garowe] General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Somali National Army (SNA), who made a return recently after dismissal, has since written to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, asking for exit from the SNA leadership.
"I'm outta here!"
Credible reports indicate that the Chief of Defence Forces is said to have written to President Hassan, expressing his intention to leave the forces, at a time the Somali National Army is facing setbacks from the battle against Al-Shabaab militants.

The Somali National Army lost strategic Adan Yabaal town in Middle Shabelle, highlighting a serious gap in the operations, with the US Africa Command forced to intervene by activating an airstrike while assisting the local forces in the fight against the group.

For this, President Mohamud is also expected to reshuffle senior military leadership to boost operations against al Shabaab, as the group has recently intensified attacks and regained control of previously lost territories.

General Odawaa Yusuf Rageh rejoined the military in November 2024 after two years of absence, having been replaced by General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin. Odowaa was brought back to spearhead the operations by the military against al-Shabaab.

If Odowaa Yusuf Rage's exit is confirmed, it would yet again deal a blow to security forces with the change on Command set to affect general organisation and strategy within the defence forces. The military is struggling to reclaim its lost glory.

This comes at the time President Hassan Sheikh opened talks at Villa Somalia with leaders of the South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug states. The meeting, requested by the three federal member states, comes after the loss of the military on a number of frontlines.

Next week, Hassan Sheikh has convened the National Consultative Council meeting, which shall focus on the strategies in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The government of Somalia is fighting the group with local security teams expected to take over security responsibilities in future.
Related:
Adan Yabal: 2024-01-07 Ground and air operation target Al-Shabaab base in central Somalia, senior army commander toes up
Adan Yabal: 2023-07-24 Somalia: Ex-Hiran governor explains why he fell out with Gudlawe
Adan Yabal: 2023-03-28 Take care of your own security, army cannot be everywhere, Somalia president tells residents
Related:
Middle Shabelle: 2025-04-20 Mortar Attacks Near Somali Presidential Palace Kill Two, Wound Five
Middle Shabelle: 2025-04-20 Tensions Rise in Central Somalia as Al-Shabaab Militants Advance
Middle Shabelle: 2025-04-20 Death Toll Rises After Al-Shabaab Attack on Aadan Yabaal, Former Mogadishu Official Says
Related:
Aadan Yabaal: 2025-04-20 Tensions Rise in Central Somalia as Al-Shabaab Militants Advance
Aadan Yabaal: 2025-04-20 Death Toll Rises After Al-Shabaab Attack on Aadan Yabaal, Former Mogadishu Official Says
Aadan Yabaal: 2025-03-10 Middle Shabelle — active battlefield vs. Al Shabaab
Related:
Odowaa Yusuf Rage 04/18/2025 Somalia: How SNA troops lose strategic villages to Al-Shabaab
Odowaa Yusuf Rage 03/02/2025 Somalia and Ethiopia Hail New Military Pact, Signaling Thaw in Relations
Odowaa Yusuf Rage 12/16/2024 Raskambooni Clash Sparks Deep Divisions in Somali Federal Leadership

Link


Africa Horn
Somalia: Jubaland forces integrate armed militias in push for control over Gedo region
2025-04-22
[ShabelleMedia] Paramilitary forces aligned with Somalia’s Jubaland regional administration have integrated a group of armed militias previously active in the town of Balad Hawo, as part of a renewed effort to assert control over the contested Gedo region, officials said on Monday.

The militias, reportedly left without financial support from allied local businessmen, have joined the ranks of the Jubaland Darawish forces. Ali Hassan Deeq, deputy commander of the regional force, said the fighters would now be registered as official personnel within the Jubaland security apparatus.

"They will be part of our official forces, recognised by the administration," Deeq said during a brief ceremony held in Balad Hawo.

The move comes amid ongoing tensions between the Jubaland leadership and Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu. Jubaland’s president, Ahmed Mohammed Madobe, severed ties with the federal authorities after his disputed re-election in 2023, which was rejected by Mogadishu and deemed unconstitutional.

The federal government later issued an arrest warrant for Madobe, a move he reciprocated by issuing a similar order for Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The rift has deepened divisions over control of southern Somalia, particularly in the Gedo region.

Somali government forces had recently deployed to the coastal town of Ras Kamboni in Lower Juba in response to Madobe’s re-election. However,
nothing needs reforming like other people's bad habits...
Jubaland forces retook the area within two weeks, capturing several government soldiers and forcing others to flee across the Kenyan border, according to regional officials.

Travel restrictions have since been imposed in several towns under Jubaland’s control, including Kismayo
...a port city in the southern Lower Juba province of Somalia, at the extreme southern end of the country (always assuming Somalia can be called a country). It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region....
, Bardhere and Doolow, as the political and military standoff shows little sign of resolution.
Related:
Balad Hawo: 2023-07-26 Jubaland: Somali army kills 25 militants in Bakool, foils kaboom in Gedo
Balad Hawo: 2017-09-12 Al Shabaab Claims Killing 30 Soldiers In Balad Hawo Attack
Related:
Darawish forces: 2025-02-17 Somalia and U.S. Military Joint Operation Targets ISIS militants in Puntland
Darawish forces: 2025-01-22 Ethiopian Troops Withdraw from Dinsoor, Raising Concerns Over Al-Shabaab’s Return
Darawish forces: 2017-12-28 Puntland State Army Officer Shot Dead In Galkayo Town
Related:
Jubaland: 2025-04-17 US Military Strikes ISIS in Puntland, Somalia, Killing One Militant
Jubaland: 2025-04-05 Jubaland Deploys Elite Force to Battle Al-Shabaab in Lower Juba Offensive
Jubaland: 2025-04-03 Forces Launch Joint Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Southern Somalia
Link


Africa Horn
Mortar Attacks Near Somali Presidential Palace Kill Two, Wound Five
2025-04-20
[Garowe] Mortar shells struck several districts of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday morning, killing two people, including a 12-year-old girl, and injuring three other civilians, residents and security sources said.

The mortar shells hit neighborhoods in the Hamarweyne, Hamar Jajab, and Shibis districts, close to the presidential palace. Explosions were heard across much of the city.

The reports indicated that the casualties were all civilians caught in the bombardment near their homes. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Militant group Al Shabaab, which frequently targets government and security installations, has carried out similar mortar attacks in the area in recent weeks, including strikes near Villa Somalia — the presidential compound — and the Halane camp, which hosts an AU military mission and western embassies, located near Aden Adde International Airport.

Somali federal security authorities have not yet commented on Saturday’s attack, which comes as Al-Shabaab intensified raids against military bases in Middle Shabelle region, which borders the capital.
Link


Africa Horn
Death Toll Rises After Al-Shabaab Attack on Aadan Yabaal, Former Mogadishu Official Says
2025-04-20
[ShabelleMedia] The death toll from a recent Al-Shabaab assault on the central Somali town of Aadan Yabaal has risen significantly, with a former senior official claiming that at least 200 government soldiers were killed in the fighting.

Ibrahim Mahad-Alle, former deputy mayor of Mogadishu, said the attack by the militant group resulted in heavy casualties among Somali National Army (SNA) forces, including the death of a senior commander, Ismail Tuuryare, who had been leading a contingent of nearly 800 troops.

“Aadan Yabaal became a flashpoint after Al-Shabaab massed forces there. The commander and his men fought bravely, but they died confronting the enemy,” Mahad-Alle told local media.

He revealed that the mission initially aimed to secure control of key districts in the Galgaduud region — specifically Ceel Buur and Galhareeri — as part of a broader offensive against Al-Shabaab strongholds. However, the troops had positioned themselves in Aadan Yabaal, approximately 245 kilometres north of Mogadishu, when they came under heavy attack.

The Somali federal government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the battle, despite the strategic importance of Aadan Yabaal, which has long served as a major military hub in the Middle Shabelle region.

The assault marks another setback for government forces, who have been engaged in a drawn-out campaign to reclaim territory from the al-Qaeda-linked group.
Related:
Aadan Yabaal: 2025-03-10 Middle Shabelle — active battlefield vs. Al Shabaab

Related:
Galgaduud: 2025-03-18 Somali army with foreign forces strike Al-Shabaab headquarters, destroys bases
Galgaduud: 2025-03-15 Somali Army Destroys Al-Shabaab Base in Central Somalia Amid Crackdown
Galgaduud: 2025-02-16 Somali Army and Local Forces Conduct Operation, 11 Al-Shabaab Members Killed
Related:
Galhareeri: 2024-06-14 AFRICOM denies US airstrike killed Cuban doctors
Galhareeri: 2024-05-15 Somalia: SNA extends offensive against Al-Shabaab in rural areas
Galhareeri: 2024-01-29 Somalia forces and partners target Al-Shabaab in latest airstrikes
Link


Africa Horn
Six Police Officers Killed In Suspected Al-Shabab Attack In North-East Kenya - Arise News
2025-03-25
[ARISE.TV] Six coppers have been killed in an ambush on a security base in north-east Kenya near the Somali border, a regional official has confirmed.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo said the attack, which occurred at 05:30 local time (02:30 GMT) on Sunday, bore the hallmarks of Somali-based Islamist bad boy group al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
. The officers were preparing for their morning prayers when the assailants struck.

In addition to the six fatalities, four other officers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. The attack targeted a camp housing reservists—local volunteers who assist the regular police in securing remote areas.

Mwabudzo described the assault as a ''guerrilla-style'' raid, consistent with al-Shabaab's repeated cross-border incursions aimed at destabilising the region. ''The suspected militia used assorted weapons to overrun the camp,'' he added.

While no group has officially grabbed credit, al-Shabaab has a history of launching deadly attacks in Kenya, targeting both security forces and civilians. The al-Qaeda-affiliated group controls large parts of southern and central Somalia and has been engaged in a violent mostly peaceful insurgency against Somalia's government for nearly two decades.
Related:
Garissa County: 2024-03-31 Bodies Of 6 Kenyans Killed In Somalia By Al Shabaab Airlifted To Isiolo
Garissa County: 2024-03-25 Bomb-making materials seized in raid on Garissa Al-Shabaab cell
Garissa County: 2024-03-06 Kenyan police kill 5 al-Shabab terrorists in border region
Link


Africa Horn
Defense Minister: Over 150 Al-Shabaab militants killed in airstrikes in southern Somalia
2025-03-15
[ShabelleMedia] Somali Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, announced that more than 150 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in airstrikes carried out in southern Somalia over the past 48 hours.

The strikes targeted areas where the militants had been hiding.

Nur urged the public to avoid areas under Al-Shabaab control, warning that military operations would continue to target the group.

“The airstrikes were successful, and over 150 Al-Shabaab members lost their lives in the operation,” the minister said. “We continue to urge civilians to stay away from areas where the enemy is present. They are being targeted.”

The announcement comes as Al-Shabaab has stepped up its attacks in the central and southern regions of Somalia, attempting to regain control of territories previously lost to Somali and allied forces.
Related:
Southern Somalia: 2025-03-12 NISA: 16 Al-Shabaab Fighters Killed in Lower Shabelle Airstrikes
Southern Somalia: 2025-03-10 Middle Shabelle — active battlefield vs. Al Shabaab
Southern Somalia: 2025-02-26 Al-Shabaab Attacks Villages in Lower Shabelle Region
Link


Good Morning
2025-03-10



Trump critic Mark Carney wins Liberal
Party nomination to replace Trudeau as Canada's next PM
Monday 03/10/2025

DaliahLavi_rb20090716
Africa Horn
Middle Shabelle -- active battlefield vs. Al Shabaab
Africa Horn
Ethiopian Military Carry Out Rare
Airstrikes Targeting Al-Shabaab in Somalia Friday
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Protesters bed down for second night
of hostage vigil outside military HQ in Tel Aviv
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Troops open fire on suspects
trying to enter Israel from West Bank
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
US hostage envoy says Hamas
offered to disarm during years-long truce
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
US-Hamas talks focused on last living
American hostage, Edan Alexander, group says
Trans activists storm NYC schools meeting,
dance ''Macarena'' to protest support of female athletes

Link


Africa Horn
Somali National Army (SNA) Continues Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Central Somalia
2025-02-02
[ShabelleMedia] On Friday, the Somali National Army (SNA), in close collaboration with local communities, continued its strategic military operations targeting al-Shabaab
... the personification of Somali state failure...
bases in central Somalia. The joint operation is focused on the area between Bulobarde District and Halgan village, key regions that have seen heightened holy warrior activity in recent months.

Speaking exclusively to Somali National Television (SNTV), Army officials confirmed that the operation has made significant strides, with several key milestones achieved in weakening the presence of snuffies in the region. The SNA has successfully targeted and dismantled several al-Shabaab strongholds, with reports indicating heavy losses among the holy warriors.
A bit bare of details, but we are to be assured that the fight against Al Shabaab continues.
Related:
Bulobarde District: 2025-02-01 Somali National Army (SNA) Continues Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Central Somalia
Link


Africa Horn
Trump announces US airstrikes on terrorist locations in Somalia
2025-02-02
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] On February 1, US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered airstrikes on targets in Somalia where one of the commanders of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, a terrorist organization banned in Russia) was located.

“This morning, I ordered precision military airstrikes against a senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia,” the American leader wrote on the social media site Truth Social.

The head of the White House added that the terrorists posed a threat to the United States. According to him, the airstrikes destroyed the caves in which the terrorists were hiding. At the same time, as Trump noted, this happened without causing harm to civilians.

Earlier, NBC, citing the US Africa Command, said that the US military had struck the leader of the ISIS terrorist group in Somalia. The US government publicly named the target of the strike as the head of the group's branch in Somalia, Abdulkadir Mumin, who had secretly become the world leader of the terrorist organization.
ISIS world leader? Impressive.
Garowe adds:
American President Donald Trump
...The Hero of Butler, Pennsylvania...
confirmed multiple Arclight airstrikes
...KABOOM!...
s against the ISIS gunnies in the Bari region of Somalia, noting that the bombardments targeted a senior 'planner' who has been on the run in deep caves within the mountainous areas of Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
Without disclosing the identity of the planner, Trump said the airstrikes destroyed several caves killing 'many terrorists' in the process. No non-combatants were killed or armed during the operations on Saturday, he said in a tweet.

"This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other snuffies he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," Trump said in a shocking statement.

"The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many snuffies without, in any way, harming civilians," he added.

Traditionally, such announcement comes from the US Africa Command, which has bases in Djibouti and trains the Danab Special Forces of the Somali National Army (SNA). Trump blames his predecessor — Joe The Big Guy Biden
...46th president of the U.S. Sleazy Dem machine politician, paterfamilias of the Biden Crime Family...
, for failing to take action against ISIS gunnies in Somalia.

"Our military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that "WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU," he said.

Pete Hegseth, the Defence Secretary, said the airstrikes were undertaken by the US Africa Command following the order by President Trump, but the government of Somalia was in charge of coordination.

In its assessment, the Pentagon said multiple operatives were killed, adding that no civilians were maimed. The statement corroborated Trump’s assessment.

Multiple sources confirmed to Garowe Online that approximately six airstrikes hit various locations in the al-Miskaad mountains, causing significant impact, particularly in the Qurac, Buqo, Wangable, and Dhasaan areas. The strikes have been part of ongoing military operations targeting ISIS bases in the Bari region, officials said.

For the last one month, Puntland security forces, bolstered by support from local communities, have escalated their campaign against the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
, launching what they describe as an all-out offensive against the IS-Somalia murderous Moslems.

The operations aim to dismantle ISIS positions nestled in the rugged terrain, and authorities report significant territorial gains in their fight against the murderous Moslems. Last year, the State Department raised concerns about the capabilities of the ISIS murderous Moslems, terming them 'dangerous'.

While cautioning Somalia, the State Department warned that if actions are not taken, the group could expand territories in Somalia, consequently, affecting the fight against terrorism. In southern regions, Somalia is battling al-Shabaab
... an Islamic infestation centering on Somalia attempting to metastasize into Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and similar places, all ofwhich have enough problems without them...
murderous Moslems.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asked Trump to assist the country in the fight against terrorism, noting that 'we need your support in this war as we endeavour to stabilise Somalia'.

Trump’s direct involvement in Saturday's airstrikes showcases his commitment to assist the Horn of Africa nation in effectively fighting both al-Shabaab and ISIS.
…or his determination to push this thing to closure by winning the war. It remains to be seen whether he is actually interested in supporting either Somalia or Puntland beyond the short term.
America has close to 500 soldiers in Somalia whose primary duty is to train and equip local troops.
More from Garowe:
ISIS is based in Puntland, where it was established in 2015 by former Al-Shabaab leader Abdulkadir Mumin,
…that’s Somali-British ex-Al-Shabaab preacher Sheikh Abdulkadir Mumin or sometimes Abdul Qadir Mumin to you, bub. Show some respect! Born in Puntland in the early 1950s, he spent his forties in Sweden before moving to England in 2005. He preached to eager audiences (including Michael Adebolajo, involved in the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby) at Masjid Quba in Leicester and the Greenwich Islamic Centre in London, but it was in 2010 when he joined a press conference with Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg for the charity CAGE that MI-5 took an interest, driving his return to Puntland, where he joined Al Shabaab. Then in 2015 he and a mere two dozen followers pledged to Al Baghdadi and ISIS, growing tenfold within a year thanks to the romantic viciousness demonstrated by the Iraq/Syria caliphate and material support and training from ISIS in Yemen across the way…
and the group has now been under an offensive for two months by the troops of Somali Federal State, which saw the capture of dozens of its bases and murder of many fighters, including foreigners, according to local authorities.
And from Shabelle Media:
The Pentagon’s counterterrorism strategy in Africa has been strained as two key partners, Chad and Niger, ousted U.S. forces last year and took over key bases that the U.S. military had used to train and conduct missions against terrorist groups across the Sahel, the vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert.

U.S. military officials have warned that IS cells have received increasing direction from the group’s leadership that relocated to northern Somalia. That has included how to kidnap Westerners for ransom, how to learn better military tactics, how to hide from drones and how to build their own small quadcopters.

A U.S. military airstrike in Somalia last May targeted IS militants and killed three, according to U.S. Africa Command.

The number of IS militants in the country are estimated to be in the hundreds, mostly scattered in the Cal Miskaat mountains in Puntland’s Bari region, according to the International Crisis Group.
Related:
Abdulkadir Mumin 01/12/2025 Islamic State Foreign Fighters Surrender in Somalia's Puntland Amid Offensive
Abdulkadir Mumin 06/17/2024 US reports a strike on one of the leaders of ISIS in Somalia
Abdulkadir Mumin 05/16/2024 Somalia: Military court releases Moroccans sentenced to death for joining ISIS

Related:
Bari region: 2025-01-30 Somalia: Puntland Crackdown Targets ISIS-Linked Foreigners
Bari region: 2025-01-22 ISIS militant surrenders to Somalia's Puntland forces
Bari region: 2025-01-12 Islamic State Foreign Fighters Surrender in Somalia's Puntland Amid Offensive
Related:
Miskaad mountains: 2025-02-01 Puntland Expresses Lack of Hope for Restoring Cooperation with Somali Government
Miskaad mountains: 2025-01-28 Somalia: Puntland Forces Arrest 300 Foreign ISIS Suspects in Ongoing Operation
Miskaad mountains: 2025-01-22 ISIS militant surrenders to Somalia's Puntland forces
Related:
Abdul Qadir Mumin 10/23/2015 Al-Shabaab faction pledges allegiance to ISIS
Abdul Qadir Mumin 06/03/2013 Police take war on extremists to 'khat' houses

Related:
Masjid Quba 08/28/2015 Bomb defused near police post; two officials hurt in firecracker attack
Masjid Quba 03/23/2013 Clash over mosque averted

Masjid Quba 12/13/2008 Pakistan tightens screws on Dawa

Related:
Leicester: 2024-12-11 Europe arrests 14 human smuggling suspects, mostly Kurds
Leicester: 2024-07-06 Despite huge UK win, Labour party struggled against some pro-Palestinian candidates
Leicester: 2023-12-18 British MP files case against Israel in International Criminal Court


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