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Recent Appearances... Rantburg

Europe
Somali migrants die in boat tragedy between Algeria and Spain
2025-05-31
[ShabelleMedia] Several Somali migrants colonists have died after a boat they were traveling in capsized in the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Spain, local sources said Friday.

The victims had reportedly spent months in Algeria awaiting the dangerous sea crossing to Europe, fleeing hardship and insecurity in their homeland in search of a better future.

While the exact number of those who perished remains unconfirmed, preliminary reports suggest that all passengers on board—except the boat’s captain—were Somali nationals.

Sources indicate that the migrants colonists were primarily young men from Somalia’s 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...
, Khaatumo, and Somaliland
...Republic of Somaliland is an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, recognised internationally as a de jure part of Somalia. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden with approximately 5.7 million residents as of 2021. The capital and largest city is Hargeisa. The government regards itself as the successor state to British Somaliland, which united from 1960 to 1991 with the Trust Territory of Somaliland (the former Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic. Under the Siad Barre regime, Somaliadestroyed ninety percent of Hargeisa Per international law, once you're in, you gotta stay in, no matter how bad it smells....
regions, areas that have seen a surge in irregular migration in recent years.

The incident underscores a growing trend in recent months, where more Somali migrants colonists are turning to Algeria as a launch point for perilous journeys across the Mediterranean, often aided by human traffickers who promise passage to Europe.

Illegal migration is not new to Somalis, with many previously perishing in the Sahara Desert or on the central Mediterranean route between Libya and Italia. However,
a woman is only as old as she admits...
traffickers are increasingly exploiting alternative routes from North Africa, including those from Algeria.
Related:
Algeria: 2025-05-28 'Lovers quarrel.' The French are thinking about who will replace Macron
Algeria: 2025-05-27 Jailed Columbia Student Khalil Meets Newborn Son for First Time
Algeria: 2025-05-04 Eight OPEC+ countries to increase oil production in June
Link


Good Morning
2025-05-30



Court blocks Trump bid to bar
international students from Harvard
Friday 05/30/2025

jeannecrain008
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Shin Bet says it foiled 85 Iranian cyberattacks, including phishing attempts posing as Israeli official
Europe
Milan%u2019s La Scala theatre fires usher
who shouted %u2018Free Palestine%u2019 at gala event
Africa Horn
Somalia: U.S. Airstrike Targets
Al-Shabaab Militants Near Kismayo
Africa Horn
Somalia: Puntland Forces Kill ISIS Fighters
in Targeted Operation in Cal Miskaad Mountains
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
IDF razes West Bank home of Hamas
terrorist behind botched 2024 Tel Aviv bombing
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
IDF troops kill Palestinian who allegedly tried to attack soldiers with %u2018sharp object%u2019 in the West Bank
A strong magnetic storm began
on Earth on the morning of May 29

Link


Africa Horn
Somalia: U.S. Airstrike Targets Al-Shabaab Militants Near Kismayo
2025-05-30
[ShbelleMedia] The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, carried out an airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab militants approximately 40 kilometers northwest of the southern port city of Kismayo, officials said Wednesday.

The strike forms part of ongoing joint efforts to degrade the operational capacity of Al-Shabaab, a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, which continues to pose a threat to Somali civilians, national security forces, and international partners.

In a statement, the Somali government expressed its appreciation for AFRICOM’s support and reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating the insurgent group.

Authorities emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with both the Somali public and international allies to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country.

No civilian casualties were reported in the operation, according to initial assessments.

The U.S. supports Somali forces and a multinational African Union force with drone strikes, intelligence, and training of the SNA’s elite Danab forces based in Beleddogle airfield.
Related:
Kismayo: 2025-05-06 Somali Forces Conduct Joint Operation Against Al-Shabaab in Lower Juba region
Kismayo: 2025-04-22 Somalia: Jubaland forces integrate armed militias in push for control over Gedo region
Kismayo: 2025-02-16 Jubaland Forces Launch Operation in Lower Juba, Targeting Al-Shabaab
Related:
AFRICOM: 2025-05-21 Puntland Launches Major Offensive Against ISIS in Cal-Miskaad Mountains
AFRICOM: 2025-05-20 Fierce Clashes Between Local Militia and Al-Shabaab in Central Somalia
AFRICOM: 2025-05-20 AFRICOM halts disclosure of Somalia airstrike casualties amid Trump policy review
Link


Africa Horn
Somalia: Puntland Forces Kill ISIS Fighters in Targeted Operation in Cal Miskaad Mountains
2025-05-30
[ShabelleMedia] 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...
regional security forces have killed several fighters from 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....
(IS) affiliate in Somalia during a planned military operation in the rugged Cal Miskaad mountain range, officials said on Thursday.

The operation, which took place in the remote areas of Xal and Walinsoor, targeted hideouts believed to be used by IS murderous Moslems. The offensive resulted in the death of several holy warriors, according to military sources.

"Our forces conducted a successful operation in the Cal Miskaad mountains and eliminated members of the ISIS [IS] group who had been hiding in fortified positions," said a Puntland security official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

During the raid, troops also destroyed food supplies, logistical materials, and other equipment stored in underground bunkers allegedly used by the group. Photos released by Puntland’s security command showed burnt-out storage caches and seized weapons.

Local residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions during the early hours of the operation. Security officials said the area has been under surveillance for weeks after intelligence reports confirmed murderous Moslem presence.

Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia, has been battling IS fighters who have entrenched themselves in the mountainous terrain near the Gulf of Aden. The group, a breakaway faction from al-Shabaab
... the personification of Somali state failure...
, has faced increasing military pressure in recent years.

"This is part of a broader strategy to clear terrorist groups from our territory," the official added, stressing that further operations are planned in the coming days.

The Islamic State’s Somalia branch remains relatively small compared to al-Shabaab but poses a persistent threat, particularly in the northern Bari region, where the group has occasionally grabbed credit for attacks.

There was no immediate comment from the ISIS group regarding the latest military action.
Related:
Puntland: 2025-05-25 Somalia: Puntland Sees Nearly 10% Increase in Students Taking Unified School Exit Exams in 2025
Puntland: 2025-05-22 Over 100 Militants Killed in Somalia Since Start of Trump’s Second Term, Says White House
Puntland: 2025-05-21 Good Morning
Related:
Cal Miskaad mountain: 2025-02-19 US airstrike against ISIS kills 16 militants in Somalia: Officials
Cal Miskaad mountain: 2025-02-13 Islamic State attacks military bases in Somalia''s Puntland
Cal Miskaad mountain: 2025-02-05 High-Profile ISIS Commander Captured in Puntland After U.S. Airstrikes
Link


Africa Horn
US Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence
2025-05-30
[FOX] A top United States military general warned Thursday that terror groups in Africa are ramping up their ability to conduct attacks in the U.S.

Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star Marine General who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the Sahel region of the continent is now the "flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe."

Several terror groups have expanded drastically in the last three years. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is three times the size it was in 2022, he said, and has spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, which the U.S. military pulled out of last year.

Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin,
…in Arabic it’s called JNIM and in French is GSIM. Recent estimates of its size range from 2,000-6,000 turbans…
a faction affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is now four times the size it was in 2022, expanding mainly in Burkina Faso.

"We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland," Langley said in a call with reporters.

"Throughout my travels across West Africa and through dialog here at the conference, the concerns shared by my peers match my own," he added. "One of the terrorist's key goals now is access to the west coast of Africa. If they gain access to the vast coastline, they can diversify their revenue streams and evolve their tactics, more easily exporting terrorism to American shores."

He noted that the terror groups engage in illicit activity like smuggling, human trafficking and arms trading, which fund their nefarious actions and destabilize the region.

U.S. forces over the weekend conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab in Somalia. The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab.

The U.S. is in a race with China and Russia to gain influence and trust with the local governments of several African nations to help protect citizens from terror groups.

Langley said there is an increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training and replicating a U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
Related:
Michael Langley 05/29/2025 Washington urges African allies to handle their own security
Michael Langley 04/05/2025 Emerging al-Shabaab–Houthi axis a ‘heightened terrorist threat,’ warns top US general
Michael Langley 01/08/2025 Why Mohamed Mire's death is a huge blow to Al-Shabaab

Related:
AFRICOM: 2025-05-21 Puntland Launches Major Offensive Against ISIS in Cal-Miskaad Mountains
AFRICOM: 2025-05-20 Fierce Clashes Between Local Militia and Al-Shabaab in Central Somalia
AFRICOM: 2025-05-20 AFRICOM halts disclosure of Somalia airstrike casualties amid Trump policy review
Related:
AQIM: 2024-06-27 ICC convicts al-Qaida-linked leader of atrocities in Mali
AQIM: 2024-05-21 Black flags over the Dark Continent. Who is the Russian Afrika Korps fighting with?
AQIM: 2023-01-14 Al-Qaeda claims the death of the 14 soldiers in the center of Mali
Related:
JNIM: 2025-05-15 Perfect Example of Why the Swamp Hates DOGE-this Agency is a Crime Scene
JNIM: 2025-04-26 JNIM's Growing Pressure on Benin
JNIM: 2025-03-06 Islamic State the deadliest terror group in 2024 as big four expands
Related:
Sahel: 2025-05-16 Nigeria: Insecurity - Bandits Feed Our Babies to Their Dogs - Zamfara Lawmaker
Sahel: 2025-05-02 Thousands rally in Ouagadougou and worldwide in support of President Ibrahim Traorr
Sahel: 2025-04-28 ISWAP, Boko Haram Terrorists Regrouping In Lake Chad, Borno Governor Zulum Raises Fresh Alarm
Related:
GSIM: 2025-04-26 JNIM's Growing Pressure on Benin
GSIM: 2024-11-24 At least Six Russian Wagner Group Mercenaries Killed in Islamist Attack in Mali
GSIM: 2024-09-20 Major jihadist attack in Mali's capital killed more than 70, security source says
Link


Africa Horn
USS Truman Executed Largest-Ever Carrier Airstrike on ISIS in Somalia on Feb 1
2025-05-30
[X]
… from Carrier Air Wing 1 dropped around 125,000 pounds of precision-guided munitions on ISIS cave networks southeast of Bosaso.

Key ISIS figures, including recruiter Ahmed Maeleninine, were killed.
Related:
Ahmed Maeleninine 03/07/2025 U.S. pledges more support to Somalia's Puntland in ISIS war
Ahmed Maeleninine 03/05/2025 Somalia: Puntland forces seize ISIS headquarters in mountains

Ahmed Maeleninine 02/27/2025 Somalia: Puntland Forces Discover ISIS Leadership Bunker in Bold Strike Against Militant Stronghold

Link


Africa North
Egypt bitter as Sudan's RSF Hemedti seeks to host Gaza refugees
2025-05-29
[NEWARAB] Egypt is ringing alarm bells over a potential plan for the transfer of a sizeable number of Paleostinians from the Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response...
Strip to areas controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan
...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
“Welcome to Sudan, gentlemen and camp followers. Just like the Irish who got off the boat in America during their civil war, you have a choice: fight with us or die. Your uniforms are over there, the tents for your families are ranged beyond. There is also a school and playground for the children, courtesy of America — it does not have any flaming hoops or tunnels. Again, welcome in brotherly solidarity!”
The concerns come against the background of a plan by US President Donald Trump
...The cad! Twice caught beating wimmin!...
to take over the coastal Paleostinian enclave, kick its people out and build it into a "Middle East Riviera".

They also come in the wake of media reports about United Arab Emirates-sponsored attempts by RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, to curry favour with Trump's administration by proposing to take in some of the people of Gaza in areas controlled by his militia in Sudan.

Such a plan angers Cairo, which has been lobbying hard to foil the US president's plan.
”How dare those upstarts connive with that horrible Trump person to enable that uppity Jewish state to win against pious Muslims! Don’t they know that we were already civilized when they still painted themselves blue and danced around with bones through their noses?!”
"Egypt staunchly opposes the displacement of the people of Gaza because it is keen on protecting the rights of the Paleostinians to their land," Egyptian political researcher Mohammed Rabie al-Dehi remarked to The New Arab.
They’re no good as a weapon against the Jooooos once they’re scattered and working on survival and improving their lot.
"Hemedti's proposal to take in Gaza refugees makes it necessary for all Arab states to act to rescue Paleostinian statehood dreams," he added.

LITTLE INFLUENCE OVER RSF
There has been no confirmation of the aforementioned reports from either the US or the UAE. The RSF commander Hemedti has not spoken openly about such a plan either.

Nonetheless, Abu Dhabi maintains close relations with the paramilitary Sudanese group which has been locked in a war with the Sudanese army since mid-April 2023, one that has so far destroyed most of Sudan, caused the displacement of millions of Sudanese citizens, both inside and outside Sudan, and opened the door for the emergence of one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Close relations between the UAE and the RSF have turned the Sudanese army and Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, the ruling body in Sudan, against Abu Dhabi, with the council accusing the Gulf state of offering arms and financial support to its rival militia.

The Sudanese government has also filed a lawsuit against the UAE at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of complicity with the RSF in perpetrating genocide in Sudan.

Egypt's problem with a scenario where the RSF proposes to take in Gaza refugees in areas it controls in Sudan derives from the little influence it has over the Sudanese militia.

The RSF shares control over Sudanese cities with the Sudanese army. In recent weeks, the paramilitary group intensified its military campaign against the army, having apparently received a fresh supply of arms from its regional benefactors, especially unmanned aerial vehicles.

Now, the RSF controls large swaths of eastern Sudan, along with areas in the western part of the African country where allied militias prevail.

The intensification of the RSF campaign also came hard on the heels of significant victories by the Sudanese army, especially in Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

Cairo has been a strong backer of the Sudanese army, a policy enshrined in Egypt's foreign policy doctrine which bans relations with non-state actors or militias.

This backing has caused relations between Cairo and the RSF to teeter on the edge of hostility, with the militia repeatedly accusing the Egyptian air force of striking its positions and killing its fighters.

"The RSF is a fascist
...anybody you disagree with, damn them...
militia that has suffered one defeat after another in the past period," Sudanese political analyst Amgad Farid told TNA.

"It works tooth and nail to prove its relevance by criticising and antagonising Egypt, a regional heavyweight whether it likes it or not," he added.
Related:
Rapid Support Forces: 2025-05-23 Sudan reports surge in cholera cases amid Khartoum water crisis
Rapid Support Forces: 2025-05-23 Sudanese army unearths mass graves in Omdurman, 465 victims found
Rapid Support Forces: 2025-05-23 U.S. to impose sanctions on Sudan over chemical weapons use
Related:
Hemedti 05/12/2025 Sudan Accuses Puntland of Facilitating Military Support to RSF via Bosaso Airport
Hemedti 03/25/2025 Chad warns could retaliate if Sudan attacks
Hemedti 02/24/2025 Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), announced a parallel government from Nairobi

Link


Africa Horn
Somalia: Puntland Sees Nearly 10% Increase in Students Taking Unified School Exit Exams in 2025
2025-05-25
In the midst of all the horrors, a small thing worth celebrating.
[Garowe] The 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...
Ministry of Education and Higher Learning announced Saturday that 23,768 students are registered to sit for the unified 8th and 12th grade exams this year, representing a 9.61% increase compared with 2024.

Last year, 21,685 students took the exams, meaning an increase of 2,083 candidates in 2025. The ministry attributed the rise to ongoing efforts to improve education quality and expand equal access to learning opportunities across the Federal State in northeastern Somalia.

The exams are being held at 151 centers across 33 districts. Puntland’s Vice President, Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, officially inaugurated the unified exams on Saturday Morning, May 24.

Officials said the growing number of exam candidates reflects increasing public confidence in the government’s education system. The ministry emphasized its commitment to providing quality education services, particularly in remote areas and underserved communities.

This year, the ministry also expanded exam centers and strengthened measures to ensure transparency and integrity throughout the exam process.

Passing the 8th grade exam typically allows students to advance to secondary school, while success in the 12th grade exam opens doors to university studies.

Parents, teachers, security officials, and local communities were praised for their support during the exam period.

The ministry pledged to continue enhancing education in Puntland to further increase student enrollment and improve education standards in the future.
Link


Africa Horn
Over 100 Militants Killed in Somalia Since Start of Trump’s Second Term, Says White House
2025-05-22
[Garowe] At least 100 terrorists, both leaning to the al-Shabaab
... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
and ISIS, have been killed in Somalia since President Donald Trump
...The Hero of Butler, Pennsylvania...
assumed his second term early this year, the White House said, with the number expected to increase in the coming months..

On Monday, at least 10 hard boyz were killed in Cal-Miskaad mountains in 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...
, with the White House posting a video of the battlegrounds within the mountains, which have been a base of the ISIS Death Eaters, but whose influence is declining.

"We haven’t forgotten the threat posed by Jihadis. 10 more were permanently removed from the battlefield in Somalia yesterday," the White House said. "That brings the total to over 100 bloodthirsty Death Eaters killed since President Trump was sworn in."

The US Africa Command has increased its tempo in Somalia, with the Arclight airstrike
...KABOOM!...
s targeting strategic locations, destroying the Death Eaters' military installations and other assets dangerous for peace and stability in the region.

In February, President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in Cal-Miskaad, where a senior commander of the ISIS hard boyz was killed. Since then, Puntland forces and US Africa Command have made progress, liberating several areas in the process.

Trump said the hit, less than two weeks into his term, had targeted a senior IS attack planner and other hard boyz in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland and had "destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many Death Eaters without, in any way, harming civilians".

He boasted that he had succeeded where former US President Joe The Big Guy Biden
...46th president of the U.S. This Is A Man That Does Not Seem Demented...
had failed."Biden and his cronies wouldn't act quickly enough to get the job done. I did!" The president maintained that "We will find you and we will kill you".

But airstrikes are different from troops on the ground, and Trump did not stop aerial bombardments in his first term. He increased them to nearly 400. The initial number of service members was 600 before it was reduced during Trump's first administration.
Shabelle Media adds:
In a post published on X (formerly Twitter), the White House confirmed that a US operation conducted on May 19 had resulted in the deaths of 10 militants, bringing the total number of militant casualties to “over 100” since the start of the Trump administration.

The statement did not specify whether the militants targeted in the latest strike were affiliated with the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group or the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS), both of which have been the focus of an intensified US military campaign in the country.

However, local reports suggested the operation may have taken place near the town of Adan Yabaal in the Middle Shabelle region, a known al-Shabaab stronghold.
Link


Good Morning
2025-05-21



Former Biden official says no PSA tests were done on Biden
Wednesday 05/21/2025

lina_basquette_1800
Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Two Israelis suspected of collecting
intel for Iran near defense minister's home
Europe
Man extradited by Lebanon held
in Denmark for ''seeking drones for Hamas''
Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Nine injured including children
in Israeli drone strike on Mansouri
Africa Horn
Tensions Rise in Somalia's Middle
Shabelle as Troops and Armored Vehicles Pour In
Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Ex-Mustaqbal official clenches Beirut
municipal seat from rival, broad coalition
Africa Horn
Puntland Launches Major Offensive
Against ISIS in Cal-Miskaad Mountains
Research on logistics of intelligent
unmanned aerial vehicle integration system

Link


Africa Horn
Puntland Launches Major Offensive Against ISIS in Cal-Miskaad Mountains
2025-05-21
[ShabelleMedia] 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...
regional forces have launched a major military operation targeting ISIS turbans hiding in the rugged Cal-Miskaad mountain range in northeastern Somalia, officials said on Tuesday.

The offensive, described as intense and ongoing, aims to dislodge the group from strategic positions it has used for years as a base of operations. Security sources report that Puntland forces have already regained control of several key areas previously held by the bad boys.

Among those killed in the recent fighting is Ahmed Muse Said, a senior ISIS figure responsible for coordinating the arrival of imported muscle into Somalia, according to local officials.

"The operation is still underway and is focused on eliminating ISIS presence in the remote mountainous areas where they continue to hide," said Abdifatah Abdinuur, Minister of State at the Puntland Presidency. "We are making significant progress and will not stop until they are fully defeated."

Puntland has been engaged in a sustained campaign against ISIS elements operating in the region, particularly in Bari province. While the group remains significantly smaller than al-Shabaab
... the personification of Somali state failure...
, it has continued to pose a threat through ambushes and assassinations.

The Puntland Defense Forces have steadily advanced in recent days, pushing ISIS fighters further into retreat. Officials say the group has lost several of its key hideouts and is on the defensive.

The offensive marks the latest phase in Puntland’s broader security effort to ensure stability in the region and dismantle holy warrior networks.

Fresh details emerge about ISIS militant killed in Puntland

[Garowe] Ahmed Muse Said, the ISIS militants coordinator killed in Cal-Miskaad mountains, Tuesday, was a well-connected individual who was also well-travelled across the world, thus his links with several foreign fighters in Puntland state.

When Operation Lightning started late last year, Puntland forces, along with foreign military teams, established that most of the fighters are 'imported' from foreign countries, with their passports recovered in various caves which have been seized.

And multiple sources revealed that Said, who was killed last week, frequently travelled abroad - to Ethiopia, Oman and the UAE. The three countries have close ties with Puntland, with the United Arab Emirates providing aerial surveillance throughout the campaign against ISIS.

Brigadier General Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, the commander of Operation Lightning, termed him a 'high-value individual (HVI)' while confirming his identity. He was one of the most sought-after terrorists.

"This operation underscores the unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring regional security. The successful elimination of this key figure represents a substantial blow to Daesh's operational capabilities and its ability to conduct destabilising activities," General Sheikh said.

"We commend the exceptional professionalism, dedication, and precision demonstrated by all personnel involved in the critical mission. Their efforts are a testament to the resolve in the face of terrorist threats," he added.

He said no further details of the time, date, or specific aspects of the operation will be disclosed at this time. The connection with foreign countries, specifically, could worry Puntland, which closely works with Somalia’s international partners.

Officials are keen to unearth his links to the UAE, Oman and Ethiopia, which could aid in the fight against ISIS militants. In southern regions, the federal government of Somalia, which has not come out clearly to support Puntland’s stance against ISIS, is tackling Al-Shabaab militants.
Related:
Puntland: 2025-05-17 Funding Cuts, Leadership Changes Hamper Somali Army’s Fight Against Al-Shabaab
Puntland: 2025-05-13 Good Morning
Puntland: 2025-05-13 U.S. AFRICOM Conducts Airstrike on ISIS Target in Somalia’s Puntland
Related:
Cal-Miskaad mountain range: 2025-04-05 US Africa Command confirms defensive airstrike against ISIS in Somalia
Related:
Operation Lightning: 2025-03-12 UAE Airstrikes Target ISIS Bases in Somalia’s Puntland
Operation Lightning: 2025-03-11 ISIS sniper training camp seized in Somalia's Puntland
Operation Lightning: 2025-03-05 Somalia: Puntland forces seize ISIS headquarters in mountains
Link


Africa Horn
Sudanese Armed Forces Completely Liberate Capital Province of Khartoum from RSF Rebels
2025-05-21
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Sudanese armed forces have completely liberated the capital province of Khartoum from rebels from the Rapid Reaction Forces (RRF). This was reported by the Turkish news agency Anadolu Ajansı.

"The Sudanese army announced the liberation of the capital province of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Reaction Forces," the agency said in a statement.

As the agency writes, citing a statement by military spokesman Nabil Abdullah, the Sudanese Armed Forces continue to suppress the militia in the south and west of Omdurman and continue to clear the Salha region, south of Omdurman, and its environs.

As reported by Regnum News Agency, a turning point was noted in the civil war in Sudan at the end of March - after two years of trench warfare, government forces began to push back the rebel troops along the entire front line. The Sudanese authorities announced the complete liberation of the country's capital Khartoum from the rebel formations of the SRF and the return of several large military bases and arsenals under their control. In response, the rebels intensified fighting in the south and west of Sudan and announced the formation of a government in the captured territories.

The civil war in Sudan has been ongoing since 2023. During this time, more than 20,000 people have died, and more than 14 million have been displaced - with a total population of 50 million people.
Related:
Khartoum: 2025-05-20 Sudan demands explanation following aggressive Emirati treatment of consular staff in Dubai
Khartoum: 2025-05-12 Sudan Accuses Puntland of Facilitating Military Support to RSF via Bosaso Airport
Khartoum: 2025-04-09 Khartoum airport after liberation
Related:
Rapid Reaction Forces: 2024-10-22 The moment a cargo plane carrying Russians crashed in Sudan was caught on video
Rapid Reaction Forces: 2023-05-02 Russian Embassy in Khartoum evacuated more than 200 people from Sudan
Rapid Reaction Forces: 2023-04-24 Biden says US embassy evacuation in Sudan has been completed
Link



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