Islamist militants have launched a gun and bomb attack on an African Union (AU) peacekeeper base in Somalia. Al Shabab fighters detonated two car bombs outside the base in the town of Bulamarer, south-west of Mogadishu. Local residents say they heard heavy exchanges of gunfire which lasted more than three hours. It is unclear exactly … Read more
Suspected al-Shabab militants killed a teacher and abducted another as they burned down a school late Wednesday in northeastern Kenya. The Kenyan MP from the region Musfafe Abdirashid told VOA’s Somali Service a number of militants entered Fafi village, about 90 kilometers east of Garissa town, and created havoc. “They killed one local teacher and … Read more
He was thin but strong, in a new uniform and boots. After forcing his way into Hawo’s ragged shelter the man put a gun to her throat, then raped her, twice. “Mentally, I can see him,” Hawo said, recalling the late-night March assault in Dusta, a camp in the southwestern city of Baidoa for Somalis … Read more
Five Kenyan policemen have been killed after their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in the north-eastern town of Liboi, near the border with Somalia. The attack happened almost at the exact spot where four officers were killed in a similar attack yesterday, which has been claimed by al-Shabab militants. Five other officers were killed in … Read more
International leaders are gathering in London on Thursday to thrash out agreements with Somalia aimed at stabilising the country under its new political leadership. The one-day conference is looking to strike a new compact that will accelerate progress on security, development and the troubled east African country’s economy by 2020. Britain’s Foreign Office said it … Read more
At least six people were killed and about 10 injured Monday in a car bomb attack in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu claimed by militant Islamist group Shabaab, police told AFP. The car exploded next to an Italian cafe on a key thoroughfare in the centre of the city which leads to the presidential palace, in the … Read more
A military vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on Sunday, killing at least six soldiers and wounding another eight. The al-Qaeda linked group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened on the outskirts of the region’s port city of Bosasso. Al-Shabab is fighting to topple the Horn of Africa country’s … Read more
Kenya’s Ministry of Defense said its troops, operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia, have destroyed an al-Shabab camp, killing 52 militants and seizing weapons. In a statement, the ministry said troops raided the camp, located near the town of Badhadhe in the Lower Jubba region, at around 1:00 a.m. Friday. “The intelligence-led operation … Read more
Somalia’s new president has offered al-Shabab militants a 60-day amnesty amid a declaration of war on the group. Fighters who gave themselves up would receive training, employment and education, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said. Somalia has reported frequent terror attacks, and a spate of kidnappings. The announcement comes as at least 10 people were reportedly … Read more
Somalia’s new president has offered al-Shabab militants a 60-day amnesty amid a declaration of war on the group. Fighters who gave themselves up would receive training, employment and education, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said. The announcement came a day after a deadly bomb attack in the capital Mogadishu that killed seven. Al-Shabab militants are also … Read more
President Donald Trump has boosted the US military’s authority to step up air strikes in the fight against Islamist insurgents in Somalia, the Defense Department said Thursday. According to a Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the new leeway accorded to the military will mean they no longer will have to justify a … Read more
Britain’s foreign minister, Boris Johnson, made a surprise visit to Somalia on Wednesday, conferring with leaders on its security problems and a devastating drought ahead of a conference in London. Johnson met the new president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, in the centre of the capital Mogadishu, Somali sources and the British foreign office said separately. He … Read more
Somalia’s new President, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo,’ has placed a $100,000 reward on information leading to the prevention of a car bomb attack in the country. The President made the pledge over the weekend when he visited victims of the latest al-Shabaab attack in the capital, Mogadishu. ‘‘My promise to you as president, if you … Read more
At least eighteen people were killed on Sunday by a suicide car bomb in the Somali capital Mogadishu, according to local officials and witnesses. A local official of the security services, Mohamed Jilibey, pointed out that many people stood at the intersection when the explosion occurred. The attack is first of its kind in Mogadishu … Read more
Burundi and the African Union (AU) reached an agreement on Thursday on the modalities of payment of Burundian troops deployed in Somalia as part of the African Union force (Amisom), the first vice – President of Burundi Gaston Sindimwo has announced. “We are satisfied, we have discussed well with Mr. Chergui and a Memorandum of … Read more
A traffic ban has been imposed and major roads sealed off in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, ahead of a presidential vote. MPs will gather at the airport to elect a new head of state. On Tuesday evening, suspected Al-Shabab militants launched a series of attacks, with two mortar rounds fired close to the venue where … Read more
Since October, Ethiopia has been withdrawing troops from Somalia. The redeployment highlights problems with the international community’s funding of military operations in Africa. The Ethiopian troops had been assisting the internationally funded African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The draw-down could imperil Somalia’s chances of becoming a viable nation state. Many assumed this redeployment was … Read more
MOGADISHU — The Somali National Army (SNA), backed by troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), on Tuesday captured Mir-tugo village in the central Somali region of Middle Shabelle from Al-Shabaab militants. Army official Abdullahi Mohamed told reporters the joint forces captured the area without any resistance from the militants. (Somali-Battle) PARIS — … Read more
At least 12 people have been killed in an attack in Kenya claimed by Somalia-based militant Islamist group al-Shabab. The target was a guesthouse hosting members of a theatre group who were performing plays in schools in the north-eastern town of Mandera. Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has called the attack “heinous”. In Somalia, the militants … Read more
At least 12 people have been killed in an attack in Kenya carried out by Somalia-based militant Islamist group al-Shabab. Police in the Kenyan border town of Mandera said the attackers used explosives during the overnight attack. The target was a guesthouse hosting members of a theatre group who were in the town for performances … Read more