Doolow, Gedo Region (WDN) — An airstrike on a residential compound in Doolow, Gedo region, has triggered fresh concerns over the escalating use of military force in Somalia’s political disputes, after reports emerged that senior figure Mahad Abdirahman, widely known as Taliye Shub linked to former President of South west State Abdiaziz Laftagareen, was wounded...
Mogadishu (WDN) — Members of Somalia’s Custodial Corps closed roads leading to and from Mogadishu’s Central Prison on Thursday, protesting what they say are nearly two years of unpaid salaries and outstanding employment rights. The guards said they have continued performing their duties despite going without regular pay, leaving them struggling to support themselves and...
Mogadishu, Somalia (WDN) — Somalia’s already fragile electoral process is facing another serious obstacle after the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland reportedly rejected efforts to bring them to Mogadishu for the final stage of negotiations between the Federal Government and the opposition-led Future Council. The proposed meeting, facilitated by international partners, was intended to bridge...
Dhuusamareeb, Somalia (WDN) — Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor) has held a closed-door meeting with the Speaker of the Galmudug House of Representatives, Mohamed Nur Gacal, amid growing political tensions within the regional administration. The two leaders met Thursday evening at President Qoorqoor’s residence in Dhusamareeb. Neither side has publicly disclosed the agenda or...
Bosasso, Somalia (WDN) — Bosasso, a strategically located port city on Somalia’s Gulf of Aden coast, occupies an increasingly important position in Red Sea–Gulf of Aden trade and commerce. Its proximity to one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors gives the port significant potential as a regional gateway for commercial shipping, trade, and investment,...
Baidoa, Somalia (WDN) — Heavy fighting has erupted early this morning in and around Baydhaba between forces loyal to former Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and troops aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia, as the battle for control of the strategic city enters another dangerous phase. Reports from Baidoa indicate that Laftagareen-aligned...
Kismayo, Somalia (WDN) — The United States military has conducted a major training exercise in Kismayo aimed at strengthening the readiness of its East African Response Force (EARF), highlighting Washington’s focus on rapid military response and force protection in southern Somalia, where Al-Shabaab maintains some of its most important operational strongholds. The exercise was conducted...
Beledweyne, Somalia (WDN) — HirShabelle’s disputed election process has been thrown into fresh turmoil after armed men reportedly seized a voter-registration center in Beledweyne, turning a political dispute over the credibility of the vote into a direct security challenge. The incident comes as the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission moves ahead with plans to...
Garacad, Somalia (WDN) — Puntland has launched a ground operation against suspected pirates in Garacad, killing one and capturing two others from a group accused of taking ransom for the Turkish-linked MV Lutuf, according to Puntland security officials cited by Puntland Post. Four other suspects reportedly escaped. The operation comes days after Puntland President Said...
Dhuusamareeb, Somalia (WDN) — The Towfiiq Political Association, led by Sheikh Shakir Ali Hassan, has rejected the timetable announced for repeat elections to Galmudug’s local councils and House of Representatives, arguing that the schedule does not comply with Somalia’s National Elections Law. Towfiiq was the political organization that brought the earlier Galmudug election dispute before...