Latest news with #Al-Qaeda-linked
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'We're keeping a good eye': Top US general warns of African terror groups attack on American homeland
Gen. Michael Langley, USMC, Commander, US Africa Command, center, and Major General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, attend the 21st edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco. (Pic credit: AP) A senior US military leader issued a grave warning on Thursday about the growing threat of African terror networks, saying the risk of attacks reaching American shores is increasing as extremist groups expand and evolve across the continent. General Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), called the Sahel region the new "epicentre of terrorism on the globe," citing explosive growth in the size and reach of jihadist groups operating there. " The Sahel is now the flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability," Langley told reporters. 'We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland.' Terrorist expansion across West Africa Langley highlighted two Al-Qaeda-linked organisations that have rapidly multiplied in strength and geographic reach over the past three years. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is now three times larger than it was in 2022, with operations spanning Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), another Al-Qaeda affiliate, has grown fourfold, with most of its expansion in Burkina Faso. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo These groups, Langley said, are actively seeking access to West Africa's coastline, a strategic move that could enable them to broaden revenue streams through smuggling, arms trafficking, and human trafficking, while also enhancing their operational reach. '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 said. US response and global competition In response to the intensifying threat, US has ramped up its counterterrorism operations. Over the weekend, American forces conducted an airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabab, another Al-Qaeda-linked group that, along with Isis, has plagued the East African nation for decades. Langley emphasised that combating terrorism in Africa is not only a matter of security but also of geopolitical strategy, as both China and Russia move aggressively to establish military partnerships and influence across the continent. 'There is increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training,' Langley said. 'They're trying to replicate what we do best in our [US International Military Education and Training] program.' He warned that Chinese and Russian efforts to build security alliances in Africa may undermine US influence and allow adversaries to gain a stronger foothold in a region already destabilised by extremism. A race against time Langley's remarks come amid heightened urgency to stabilise regions like the Sahel, where years of violence, coups, and insurgency have weakened governments and created fertile ground for terror recruitment. The US military withdrew from Niger last year, one of several setbacks that have complicated efforts to contain terrorist groups. As AFRICOM works to re-establish partnerships and monitor terror hotspots, Langley stressed that the fight to contain extremist threats in Africa is directly tied to the security of the United States. 'This isn't just Africa's problem,' he said. 'It's a global one — and we have to act now before these groups gain the power to strike far beyond the borders of the continent.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Eto'o, Adebayor, Okocha play exhibition game in Somalia
THREE AFRICAN football legends -- Samuel Eto'o, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jay-Jay Okocha -- took to the pitch in Somalia on Tuesday for an exhibition match aimed at restoring the country's image. The three superstars were part of a FIFA-backed 'peace tour' that Somalia hopes will help it once again host international fixtures. Somalia has been in a state of near-constant internal conflict since 1991 and its national team has had to play matches mostly in neighbouring Djibouti. The national stadium in Mogadishu, the capital, was heavily damaged after being used as a base by Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab insurgents from 2008 and then by African Union peacekeepers who chased them out of the city. It was renovated and reopened for sports in 2020. The arrival of Cameroon icon Eto'o, former Togo striker Adebayor and ex-Nigeria playmaker Okocha for what was billed as the first high-profile match in three decades was labelled 'a historic day' by the sports ministry. The three stars led an international team to an 8-4 victory against a team of local players. 'We just pray for God to give you guys peace, so that you can build your country,' Adebayor told reporters after the match, adding that the occasion was 'beautiful and incredible'. Security Minister Mohamed Ali Haga described the match as a chance to 'change the perception of the world towards Somalia... and show the world that Mogadishu is peaceful and can host other African matches'. Security was tight around the stadium in southern Mogadishu. Hundreds of fans showed up hours in advance of the match, many waving the Somali flag. 'This is a great day for me -- to watch a player like Eto'o who has inspired me so much -- I cannot miss such a great occasion. It is like I'm seated in the Barcelona stadium,' one fan, Mowlid Ali, told AFP. 'The game here today is not a simple football match. This match will definitely demonstrate how Somalia is reviving from the war that has ravaged the country for a long time,' added another, Abdirahman Dhere. Somalia has reportedly asked FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) to re-evaluate its security situation to be able to hold future fixtures. Delegates from the CAF and Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations were present for the match.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Eto'o, Adebayor, Okocha Play Historic Match in Somalia
THREE AFRICAN football legends -- Samuel Eto'o, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jay-Jay Okocha -- took to the pitch in Somalia on Tuesday for an exhibition match aimed at restoring the country's image. The three superstars were part of a FIFA-backed 'peace tour' that Somalia hopes will help it once again host international fixtures. Somalia has been in a state of near-constant internal conflict since 1991 and its national team has had to play matches mostly in neighbouring Djibouti. The national stadium in Mogadishu, the capital, was heavily damaged after being used as a base by Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab insurgents from 2008 and then by African Union peacekeepers who chased them out of the city. It was renovated and reopened for sports in 2020. The arrival of Cameroon icon Eto'o, former Togo striker Adebayor and ex-Nigeria playmaker Okocha for what was billed as the first high-profile match in three decades was labelled 'a historic day' by the sports ministry. The three stars led an international team to an 8-4 victory against a team of local players. 'We just pray for God to give you guys peace, so that you can build your country,' Adebayor told reporters after the match, adding that the occasion was 'beautiful and incredible'. Security Minister Mohamed Ali Haga described the match as a chance to 'change the perception of the world towards Somalia... and show the world that Mogadishu is peaceful and can host other African matches'. Security was tight around the stadium in southern Mogadishu. Hundreds of fans showed up hours in advance of the match, many waving the Somali flag. 'This is a great day for me -- to watch a player like Eto'o who has inspired me so much -- I cannot miss such a great occasion. It is like I'm seated in the Barcelona stadium,' one fan, Mowlid Ali, told AFP. 'The game here today is not a simple football match. This match will definitely demonstrate how Somalia is reviving from the war that has ravaged the country for a long time,' added another, Abdirahman Dhere. Somalia has reportedly asked FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) to re-evaluate its security situation to be able to hold future fixtures. Delegates from the CAF and Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations were present for the match.
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Eto'o, Adebayor, Okocha play exhibition game in Somalia - Africa
Three African football legends -- Samuel Eto'o, Emanuel Adebayor and Jay-Jay Okocha -- took to the pitch in Somalia on Tuesday for an exhibition match aimed at restoring the country's image. The three superstars were part of a Fifa-backed "peace tour", which Somalia hopes will help it once again host international fixtures. Somalia has been in a state of near-constant internal conflict since 1991, and its national team currently has to play its matches in neighbouring Djibouti or Morocco. The national stadium in Mogadishu was heavily damaged after being used as a base by Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab insurgents from 2008 and then by African Union peacekeepers who chased them out of the city. It was renovated and reopened for sports in 2020. The arrival of Cameroon icon Eto,o, former Togo striker Adebayor and ex-Nigeria playmaker Okocha for what was billed as the first high-profile match in three decades was considered "a historic day" by the sports ministry. Security Minister Mohamed Ali Haga described the match as a chance to "change the perception of the world towards Somalia... and show the world that Mogadishu is peaceful and can host other African matches." Security was tight around the stadium in southern Mogadishu. Hundreds of fans showed up hours in advance of the match, many waving the Somali flag. "This is great day for me -- to watch a player like Eto who has inspired me so much -- I cannot miss such a great occasion. It is like I'm seated in the Barcelona stadium," one fan, Mowlid Ali, told AFP. "The game here today is not a simple football match, this match will definitely demonstrate how Somalia is reviving from the war that has ravaged the country for a long time," added another, Abdirahman Dhere. Somalia has reportedly requested FIFA and CAF to re-evaluate its security situation to be able to hold future fixtures. Delegates from the Confederation of African Football and Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations were present for the match. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
France 24
22-05-2025
- Climate
- France 24
Somalia climate shocks and aid cuts create perfect storm
The Horn of Africa nation is among the most vulnerable to climate change, according to the United Nations, and in the last five years has experienced both the worst drought in 40 years and once-in-a-century flooding. The more severe weather compounds the insecurity many Somalis face after decades of violent insurgency and political instability. "We have cleaned our house using our bare hands," Teesto, 43, told AFP, saying neither international agencies nor the government had offered any assistance. "Some families who had their houses destroyed are still displaced and cannot come back," he said. "If it rains again, we will have the same situation." Teesto is among around 24,000 people in the Banadir region, which includes Mogadishu, impacted by flooding this month that killed at least 17. Humanitarian work in Somalia was already under-funded before the halt of aid programmes under the US Agency for International Development (USAID), made by President Donald Trump upon his return to the White House. The UN says its humanitarian needs for the year -- estimated at $1.4 billion -- are only 12 percent funded so far. "This can get very, very bad, very quickly," said Sara Cuevas Gallardo, spokesperson for the World Food Programme, which handles roughly 90 percent of food security assistance in Somalia. "We don't know if we have the capacity," she said. This month, CARE International said Somalia had 1.8 million severely malnourished children under five, with 479,000 at risk of dying without urgent help. Cuevas Gallardo said Somalia could see a return to the situation in 2020-2023 when it was on the brink of famine. The difference being that now "we don't have the funds to actually act when we have to," she said. 'Breaking point' The International Crisis Group (ICG) has repeatedly warned about the link between climate change and conflict. Recent attacks are stoking fears of a resurgence by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab, adding to the displacement and vulnerability caused by weather problems. Globally, the main driver of hunger is conflict, Cuevas Gallardo said. "If it's mixed with the uncertainty of climate shocks in Somalia, then it just equals more food needs, more hunger, more people on the move, and us being unable to respond to that uncertainty as well." The WFP is not alone in its warnings. British charity Save the Children said last week that funding shortfalls would force it to shut more than a quarter of the health and nutrition facilities it runs in Somalia in the coming weeks. They include every single one in the central city of Baidoa. It shared the story of Fatima and her one-year-old son, who fled their village after successive droughts damaged crops and killed their livestock. "If we were not able to get medicines and nutrition support here, we would have no other option but to see our children dying in front of us," Save the Children quoted the 25-year-old as saying. The charity said that the current period always sees an uptick in malnourishment but this year it expects an 11-percent increase in malnutrition, leaving remaining facilities "stretched to breaking point". At a clinic in Baidoa, doctor Mustafa Mohammed said they have already seen a surge in patients and that closure would be grave.
