Latest news with #AlShabab
Observer
a day ago
- Sport
- Observer
Oman U-23 edge Bahrain in Bishkek International friendly opener
MUSCAT, JULY 18 The Oman U-23 Olympic team began their campaign in style at the four-team international friendly in Bishkek city, Kyrgyzstan with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain on Thursday. The only goal of Oman team scored by Abdulaziz al Shaqsi in the second half of the match sealing a well-deserved win at Dostuk Arena in Besh-Kungey village. The match saw a balanced first half with both sides testing each other's defenses but failing to convert chances. It was in the second half that Oman showed more urgency as Abdulaziz al Shaqsi managed to break the deadlock and score a decisive strike. In another match of the same event, the hosts Kyrgyzstan suffered to a 2-1 defeat against Syria on Thursday at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek city. Oman team will take on the hosts Kyrgyzstan on Sunday and then they will wrap up their fixtures against Syria on Wednesday. The tournament served as a key preparatory stage for Oman's participation in the upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers which is scheduled in September. Oman drawn in Group F, alongside Iraq, Pakistan, and hosts Cambodia. Their qualifier campaign will begin on September 3 against Cambodia, followed by matches against Iraq on September 6, and Pakistan on September 9. Only the group winners and the four best second-placed teams will advance to the finals in Saudi Arabia. Under the guidance of head coach Badar al Maimani, the Olympic squad is undergoing intensive preparations to ensure peak performance in the qualifiers. The Bishkek tournament is a pivotal step in that journey, offering the players competitive exposure in an international setting. Following the participation at four-team international friendly in Bishkek city, the team will return to Oman to compete in a high-profile four-team tournament in Salalah starting from July 27 to August 3. This event will feature top-tier competition including reigning Omantel League champions Seeb Club, His Majesty's Cup holders Al Shabab, Omantel League runners-up Al Nahdha, and Salalah based clubs including Al Nasr and Dhofar. The Salalah event is set to provide both national and domestic sides with high-level match readiness ahead of their respective competitions. Coach Badar al Maimani has called up 24 players for the Bishkek assignment, including a mix of young emerging talents who are expected to gain valuable match exposure and international experience through the tournament. This friendly event is more than a warm-up as the players will enter into the mood of actual matches and will enhance their preparations ahead of Oman's road to the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026. Squad: Jawad al Azi, Osama al Mahrouqi, Nasser al Saqri, Sameer al Hatmi, Said al Ghanbousi, Abdullah al Jabri, Abdulaziz al Shaqsi, Loqman al Jadidi, Mohammed Abdulhakim, Rashad al Dhaeen, Osama Majdi, Ziyad al Rasbi, Turki Abdullah, Nayef Faraj, Sultan al Marzooq, Mohammed al Oraibi, Ahed al Mashakheyi, Abdulaleem al Rawahi, Ali al Balushi, Abdulhadi al Manwari, Ibrahim al Kindi, Masoud al Bahri, Hamed al Naimi and Yassar al Balushi.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Ethiopia arrests 82 suspected members of Daesh group
NAIROBI: More than 80 suspected members of Daesh have been arrested across Ethiopia, state media said, claiming they intended to carry out a 'terror mission.' The 82 individuals were trained in neighboring Somali Puntland region, according to state outlet Fana Media Corporation, which cited a statement from the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). Ethiopia shares a long border with Somalia, which for months has been experiencing a resurgence of attacks by the militant Al-Shabab group. Fana said late Tuesday the suspected Daesh group members were 'identified and arrested,' but did not give any further details. The suspects 'had been recruited for a terror mission,' Fana said, noting the arrests took place in several regions across the country, including capital Addis Ababa. Somalia and Ethiopia have had tense relations for months after Addis Ababa announced an agreement with the breakaway Somaliland region last year, angering Mogadishu and raising fears of regional destabilization. Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have since normalized. Ethiopia is part of the African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) combating the Al-Shabab group in Somalia. The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of the groups resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Ethiopia arrests dozens of suspected Daesh militants, Fana broadcaster reports
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia has arrested dozens of suspected Daesh militants, who it claimed have been trained and deployed to carry out operations across the country, the state-affiliated Fana broadcaster reported. The 82 suspects were part of Daesh's Somalia affiliate, which operates in the semi-autonomous Puntland region, according to a statement by the National Intelligence Security Services which was shared with Fana. The Islamic State faction in Somalia has become an increasingly important part of its parent organization's worldwide network in recent years. 'NISS has been closely monitoring the group's cross-border infiltration strategies and its efforts to establish sleeper cells in Ethiopia,' Fana reported late on Tuesday. With an estimated 700 to 1,500 fighters, Daesh's Somalia wing has grown in recent years thanks to an influx of foreign fighters and increasing revenues. But it is still much smaller than Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab militant group, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia. The US military has carried out periodic air strikes against the group for years and recently intensified the strikes since President Donald Trump took office. Puntland government forces have captured large portions of territory from IS since announcing a major offensive against them in December.
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Somalia's army and Al-Shabab clash over strategic town
MOGADISHU: Fighting was ongoing between Somalia's armed forces and the Al-Shabab group over a strategic town in the country's central region, a local militia commander and elder said on Monday. Growing attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked group, including one on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy, are fueling concerns of an extremist resurgence in the Horn of Africa nation after the militants were forced back in recent years. Al-Shabab militants attacked Moqokori, roughly 300 km north of the capital, Mogadishu, with 'vehicles loaded with explosives and hundreds of fighters,' local militia commander Abdulahi Adan said. The town's militia had 'tactically retreated,' he said, but added that 'there is still ongoing sporadic fighting in the area, so that this is not a complete takeover.' Yusuf Mohamed, an elder in the nearby town of Mahas, said 'several wounded soldiers and community militia fighters were brought to Mahas for treatment.' Moqokori is strategically located as a gateway to several other major towns in the central Hiraan region. The town has long been contested, with Al-Shabab seizing it in 2016 and last holding it briefly in 2018. The official Somali news agency Sonna said the attack had been prevented, and claimed 'several militants were killed during the fighting.' There were no further details. It comes only months after Al-Shabab took the town of Adan Yabaal, also in the Hiraan region, and which was used as a base by Somali military commanders. More than 10,000 soldiers from the African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia or AUSSOM, are present in the country, but this has not prevented Al-Shabab from continuing to carry out attacks. At the end of June, at least seven Ugandan soldiers were killed during clashes with Al-Shabab in a town in the Lower Shabelle region.
News18
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Ivan Rakitic Announces Retirement From Football; Barcelona, Sevilla Honor Croatian
Last Updated: Ivan Rakitic, ex-Croatia international, retired at 37. He won 16 trophies with Barcelona and played 106 times for Croatia, including the 2018 World Cup final. Former Croatia international Ivan Rakitic, best known for his illustrious spells with Sevilla and Barcelona, officially announced his retirement from football on Monday at the age of 37. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Rakitic reflected on his journey through the sport. 'Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy and tears," he wrote. 'Now it's time to say goodbye. Because even if I walk away from you, I know you'll never walk away from me. Thank you, football. For everything." Sevilla and Barcelona Pay Tribute Rakitic's former clubs were quick to honour his career. Sevilla, where he made 323 appearances, scoring 53 goals and delivering 63 assists, shared highlights of his tenure at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. The Croatian midfielder played a key role in the club's two UEFA Europa League triumphs. Barcelona also paid tribute, posting a photo of Rakitic surrounded by the trophies he won in Catalonia. 'Football will miss you, Ivan. We wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life," read the club's message. Internationally, Rakitic earned 106 caps for Croatia and was a starter in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where his team finished runners-up to France. He concluded his career with brief stints at Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab and Croatian club Hajduk Split.
