Yemen says oil tanker hijacked off Shabwa coast, heads towards Somali waters

Yemen’s coast guard said on ​Saturday that the ‌M/T EUREKA oil tanker had been hijacked off ​the coast ​of Shabwa province by unidentified ⁠armed men who ​boarded the vessel, ​seized control and steered it towards the Gulf of ​Aden in Read More …

Somalia: Joint offensive with Jubaland units kills 27 Al-Shabaab militants

Somali National Army and security units from Jubaland carried out a large-scale operation in parts of southern Somalia targeting the extremist group al-Shabab, the government said Wednesday. The Ministry of Defense of Somalia said the joint operation took place in Read More …

UK: Man accused of leading Al-Shabaab activities charged with terror offences

A man has been charged with terrorist offences involving a group in East Africa. Jermaine Grant, 43, of no fixed address, is accused of directing the activities of the Somali-based terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab. He has also been charged with three Read More …

Somalia: Army clears IEDs in Middle Shabelle

The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted a highly critical mine clearance operation today in the Gololey area, located on the outskirts of Balcad town within the Middle Shabelle region. During the sweep, the specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of Read More …

Somalia: Federal government troops seize control of Baidoa following heavy fighting

Federal government troops, backed by armed groups aligned with opposition groups in Southwest State, entered Baidoa on Monday following heavy fighting with Southwest regional state administration. Residents reported intense gunfire on the outskirts of the town earlier in the day Read More …

Somalia: Army, allies seize key al-Shabaab strongholds in south in fresh offensive

The Somali army, backed by international allies, including Ugandan troops serving with the African Union mission (AUSSOM), captured key al-Shabaab-held areas in southern Somalia on Monday, a Somali Defense Ministry statement said. The forces secured Daarusalaam and Mubaarak in Lower Read More …

East Africa: Rising Al-Shabaab threats along Somali-Kenyan border

The Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism has warned of escalating terrorist threats along the Somali-Kenyan border during the holy month of Ramadan, citing a “bloody strategy” by the militant group Al-Shabaab to intimidate civilians and carry out cross-border attacks. In Read More …

Somalia: Senior Police officer survives IED blast in Mogadishu

A senior Somali police health official, Abdirizak Afgaduud, survived an apparent assassination attempt after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in his vehicle detonated near the headquarters of the National Intelligence and Security Agency in Mogadishu on Friday morning. The Read More …

Kenya: Two NPR officers killed in IED explosion at Mandera border

Two National Police Reservists (NPR) have died, while a similar number sustained injuries following an explosion in Mandera. According to police reports seen by The Standard, the officers were manning Kulun Border Point Four yesterday evening when they were hit Read More …

Somali, U.S. forces destroy al-Shabab explosives factory in Middle Juba region

Somali National Army forces, working in coordination with U.S. troops, carried out a planned overnight operation in Middle Juba that destroyed what officials described as al-Shabab’s largest explosives production facility and killed 18 militants, the Defense Ministry said Saturday. The Read More …

Somalia’s fight against extremist militants shows signs of success on the streets of Mogadishu

Mogadishu’s first line of defense against the next militant attack on Somalia ’s capital ranges from machine gunners in pick-up trucks to young men in plainclothes manning checkpoints. One of the leaders is Abdikani Ali Mohamed, a teenage-faced colonel whose Read More …

Somalia: Roadside blast kills Puntland officer, soldiers on Bosaso-Dhaadaar road

A roadside explosion killed at least two soldiers and a military officer and wounded more than five others Sunday morning after striking a mine-sweeping vehicle operated by Puntland security forces on the new road linking Bosaso and Dhaadaar, officials said. Read More …

Somalia: Seven killed in Middle Shabelle in landmine blast targeting civilian bus

At least seven people were killed and four injured when a vehicle carrying civilians struck a landmine in the Kudkudaaleey area of central Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, local sources reported Sunday. The vehicle was carrying nearly 20 passengers en route Read More …

Somalia: Al-Shabaab attack on army base repelled in Middle Shabelle region

The Al-Shabaab militant group launched a pre-dawn attack on Friday in Wargaadhi area of Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, targeting a military base housing Danab special forces, security officials said. The assault began with explosions before a brief exchange of gunfire, Read More …

Somalia, AU mission and UN appeal for urgent funding to support security forces

Somali federal government, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) have jointly appealed for urgent donor contributions to sustain support for Somali Security Forces. The appeal was made Read More …

Somalia: Local clan militias kill al-Shabaab fighters in operation near Beledweyne town

Local clan militia forces known as Ma’awisley have killed several al-Shabaab militants during a military operation in the Dhoqor area, near the town of Beledweyne in the Hiiraan region, on Thursday. According to local sources, the operation was carried out Read More …

Somalia: AUSSOM roots for coordinated global support

AUSSOM Head Amb. El Hadji Diene joined global leaders at the Doha Forum to push for predictable, coordinated international support for Somalia’s security, stabilization, and state-building efforts under the new AU-led mission He also highlighted essential enabling capabilities needed for Read More …

Somalia: U.S. special forces join Puntland in major strike on ISIS hideout in Balade Valley

US Special Forces and Puntland counter-terrorism units have carried out a coordinated operation targeting an ISIS hideout in Somalia’s Balade Valley. According to security sources on Wednesday, dozens of US troops were inserted into the area using MH-60 helicopters, while Read More …

Somalia: Attackers fire grenades and board tanker heading to South Africa

Attackers firing machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades have boarded a ship off the coast of Somalia, United Kingdom officials say of the latest assault, likely by resurgent Somali pirates, in the region. “The Master of a vessel has reported being approached Read More …

Somalia: Founding al-Shabaab member killed in Middle Jubba airstrike

A senior al-Shabaab commander and founding member of the militant group was killed in a Somali government airstrike in Middle Jubba, the Defence Ministry announced Monday. The ministry said the strike, conducted on the night of October 26, targeted Bu’aale, Read More …