Latest news with #alQaeda-allied
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Al Shabaab captures central Somali town, presses on with advance
Al Shabaab insurgents have seized the town of Tardo in Somalia's central Hiiran region and are pressing on with an advance that has already displaced thousands, a military official said. Tardo, a key crossroads linking larger urban centres, fell on Sunday after the al Qaeda-allied fighters of al Shabaab drove out government-allied clan fighters, Maj Mohamed Abdullahi told Reuters. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2007 in a bid to topple the internationally-backed central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of sharia law. "The group is advancing to other areas after the fall of Tardo," Abdullahi said. Somali forces and local clan fighters, known as Macwiisleey, are mobilising for a counterattack, he added. A local elder, a clan fighter and a regional lawmaker confirmed the capture of Tardo, which could help al Shabaab move on to other bigger towns because of its position.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Al Shabaab captures central Somali town, presses on with advance
MOGADISHU (Reuters) -Al Shabaab insurgents have seized the town of Tardo in Somalia's central Hiiran region and are pressing on with an advance that has already displaced thousands, a military official said. Tardo, a key crossroads linking larger urban centres, fell on Sunday after the al Qaeda-allied fighters of al Shabaab drove out government-allied clan fighters, Major Mohamed Abdullahi told Reuters. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2007 in a bid to topple the internationally-backed central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of sharia law. "The group is advancing to other areas after the fall of Tardo," Abdullahi said. Somali forces and local clan fighters, known as Macwiisleey, are mobilising for a counterattack, he added. A local elder, a clan fighter and a regional lawmaker confirmed the capture of Tardo - which could help al Shabaab move on to other bigger towns because of its position. Al Shabaab's offensive in the region has escalated since early this year. Previous advances reached within 50 km (30 miles) of the national capital Mogadishu, though Somali forces recaptured those villages. "We are discussing with Hiraan people about plans to recapture the towns from al Shabaab," Abdullahi said. About 100 soldiers had been deployed to reinforce local fighters, he added. Regional lawmaker Dahir Amin told Reuters at least 12,500 families have fled Tardo and the nearby town of Muqokori, which al Shabaab said it captured last week. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Editing by Andrew HeavensWriting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Anbdrew Heavens)
Reuters
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Somalia's prime minister appoints new defence minister in reshuffle
MOGADISHU, April 27 (Reuters) - Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, reshuffled his government on Sunday, appointing a new defence minister as his government tries to stem an Islamist insurgency. Barre did not give a reason for the reshuffle, which was read out by the government spokesperson in a video posted on the government's Facebook account. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, who previously served as foreign minister and national security chief, was appointed defence minister, replacing Jibril Abdirashid. Barre also appointed a new second deputy prime minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, and a new foreign minister, Abdisaalan Abdi Ali Daay. The appointment of a new defence minister comes as the government struggles to halt recent gains by al Shabaab in an offensive by the al Qaeda-allied group. Al Shabaab briefly captured villages within 50 km (30 miles) of Mogadishu, raising fears that the city could be targeted. Somali forces have since recaptured those villages but al Shabaab has continued to advance in the countryside, as the future of international security support to Somalia appears increasingly precarious. The group has been waging an insurgency since 2007, aiming to topple the government and establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of sharia law.
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-03-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Six Police Personnel Killed in Kenya by Suspected Shabaab Fighters
At least six police personnel were killed in Kenya while four were injured in an attack on a police camp by suspected militants in Garissa county in the country's east on the border with Somalia, police said. The assault which occurred early Sunday was carried out by suspected fighters from Somalia's al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab group, said a police report sent out to the media. Al Shabaab frequently carries out cross-border attacks in the area against both military and civilian targets. Attackers from the group launched an assault around dawn on a camp housing police reservists and "used assorted weapons to overrun the camp," the report said. "Six (6) fatalities have been confirmed with four (4) injured and in hospital." On Tuesday the US embassy issued an advisory, telling Americans not to travel to some places in Kenya including Garissa and other counties along the border with Somalia due to threats of terrorism.
