Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is signing two separate agreements with political parties in Ethiopia and Somalia to deepen strategic ties with the two East African countries.

Mogadishu (HOL) — A multinational counterterrorism operation led by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL resulted in the arrest of 37 individuals suspected of ties to Al-Shabaab, ISIS, and other extremist groups across eight East African nations, authorities announced Monday. The operation, conducted between November and December 2024, also led to the seizure of small arms, heavy weaponry, and explosives.

For almost a month, security forces in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland have been advancing on the mountainous hideouts of Islamic State militants.

Hargeisa (HOL) — The United Kingdom has called on Somaliland and SSC Khaatumo to exchange prisoners as a first step toward de-escalation in a conflict that has displaced thousands and disrupted trade in the region.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali security forces shot and killed two suspected Al-Shabaab militants during a brief but intense firefight in Mogadishu on Wednesday, officials said. One police officer was injured in the exchange, while a civilian was also killed in the crossfire.

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland authorities deported around a thousand undocumented Ethiopians from Garowe, the regional capital, on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing crackdown on foreigners without legal status.

Mogadishu – Somali police shot dead two Al-Shabaab militants on Monday after the gunmen attempted to attack security forces in the Deyniile district of Mogadishu.

The Somali army on Tuesday killed 16 al-Shabab terrorists in an operation in the eastern part of Hiiraan region, according to state media.

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives.

Jowhar (HOL) – A delegation from Somalia's National Electoral Commission and Boundaries met with Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe in Jowhar on Tuesday, two days after their visit to Baidoa, as part of efforts to accelerate preparations for the country's transition to a one-person, one-vote electoral system.

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to expanding its energy capacity as a key pillar for modernization and economic development during his speech at the Africa Energy Summit on Tuesday.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali federal forces and local fighters have killed more than 40 Al-Shabaab militants during intense operations in the Hiiraan region, the Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Heavy fighting between the M23 rebel group and government forces has plunged Goma, a major city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, into turmoil, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and trade. The escalating violence has killed at least 17 people, injured over 300, and forced thousands, including Somali business owners, to shelter in their homes as the city teeters on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.

Garowe (HOL) – Puntland authorities have warned that action will be taken against individuals found harming foreigners as the regional administration continues its crackdown on ISIS in the Bari region.

United States President Donald Trump has announced he would sign an executive order calling for the construction of an “Iron Dome” missile defence programme.

Beledweyne (HOL) – Somali National Army (SNA) troops, supported by local clan militias, recaptured the Beera Yabaal area and its surrounding areas in the Hiiraan region on Monday after hours of intense fighting with Al-Shabaab militants.

Kismayo (HOL) – The Jubbaland military court on Monday commenced proceedings against Mukhtar Abdi Adan (Hoobiye), a former officer in the Jubbaland Armed Forces accused of collaborating with the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The mission, which began operations on January 1, 2025, will run for the next five years and has seen Uganda take control of two additional sectors—sectors 1 and 3—previously managed by Burundian forces.

Mogadishu (HOL) — China’s recent ban on livestock and animal product imports from Somalia and other countries has raised alarm bells in Mogadishu, where the economy is heavily reliant on livestock exports. The prohibition, aimed at curbing the spread of diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, has far-reaching implications for Somalia’s trade and pastoralist livelihoods.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Health Minister, Ali Haji Hassan, has criticized recent comments by Presidential Envoy Ali Jeyte, describing them as irresponsible and potentially damaging to efforts against Al-Shabaab.

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali State Minister for Religious Affairs, Abukar Sheikh, on Sunday urged young members fighting alongside Al-Shabaab to take advantage of the amnesty offered by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, describing it as a critical opportunity for redemption and reintegration into society.

Finnish Minister of the Interior Meri Rantanen visited Somalia on 21 January to discuss cooperation on deporting Somali asylum seekers from Finland, a move critics allege is tied to the Finns Party's political agenda ahead of the April municipal and county elections.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Electoral Commission Chairperson Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan met with European Union Ambassador Karin Johansson on Monday to discuss preparations for the country’s transition to a one-person, one-vote electoral system. The meeting emphasized Somalia’s democratic aspirations and the EU’s role in supporting this critical initiative.

Mogadishu (HOL) – The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has dismissed reports claiming that the new national ID cards are being explicitly printed for Somalia's upcoming one-person, one-vote elections.

By JOSEPH KRAUSSPresident Donald Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip was met with a hard “no” Sunday from the two U.S. allies along with the Palestinians themselves, who fear Israel would never allow them to return.

Dhusamareb (HOL) – Somali National Intelligence Agency (NISA) operatives seized two vehicles suspected of transporting fuel and other supplies intended for the militant group Al-Shabaab in Bahdo district, Galgadud region, on Sunday.

Somalia and Egypt announced Sunday that the two countries have agreed to cooperate in the fight against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.

Beledweyne (HOL) — The Somali Federal Government has launched its «most ambitious» offensive yet against Al-Shabaab in the Hiiraan region, mobilizing military and local forces in a bid to dismantle the militant group’s strongholds.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Farah Abdi Waare, a prominent Somali traditional leader and a key figure in the country's peace and reconciliation efforts, passed away on Sunday in Mogadishu at the age of 77.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia celebrated a landmark achievement in its healthcare system on Saturday by completing its first-ever open-heart surgeries, performed at Kalkaal Hospital in Mogadishu. The life-saving procedures carried out on two children with congenital heart conditions, Zakaria and Maida, are a historic milestone that brought critical care closer to Somali families.

Hargeisa (HOL) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro departed on Sunday morning for his first international trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since assuming office in November 2024.

Baidoa (HOL) – A delegation from Somalia's National Electoral Commission and Boundaries arrived in Baidoa on Sunday to accelerate preparations for the country's transition to a one-person, one-vote electoral system.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Tensions surrounding the Gaza ceasefire intensified on Sunday as Israeli forces reportedly shot and killed a Palestinian attempting to return home in the northern Gaza Strip. Hamas accused Israel of delaying the truce’s implementation, citing restrictions on displaced residents.

Bosaso (HOL) — Puntland authorities have launched a crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals in a bid to curb security risks, citing links between illegal migration and extremist activity in the region.

Bosaso (HOL) — Abdifatah Nur Mataan, the Deputy Chief of Security and Politics for Beled-Hawo district, succumbed to injuries sustained in a landmine explosion on Saturday, officials confirmed.