Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Somali National Army (SNA) forces, backed by local militia fighters repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault in the Sabiib and Canole areas of Lower Shabelle on Monday, killing at least 70 militants, according to government officials. Ministry of Defense spokesman Sheikh Abukar Mohamed said government troops had been on high alert and successfully foiled the attack on army positions. “Our forces were well-prepared and responded decisively. We have the bodies of the militants killed in the two operations,” he said. In a separate operation in the same region, an airstrike targeted Al-Shabaab fighters, killing at least 40 more militants, the spokesman…

The leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has declared that his forces will return to Khartoum despite recent losses, insisting that the war against the army is far from over. In an audio message shared on Telegram, Dagalo—widely known as Hemedti—admitted that RSF fighters had pulled back from parts of the capital last week but described the move as a “tactical repositioning” rather than a retreat. “It’s true that our forces withdrew from Khartoum, but this was a calculated decision by our leadership. We will return, stronger and more determined,” Dagalo said The statement follows recent…

The strike, conducted on Friday night, resulted in the elimination of at least 43 militants allegedly planning an attack on a Somali army base. Precision Strike with Turkish Drones According to sources in Türkiye who spoke to WAJ on condition of anonymity, the Akıncı drones played a crucial role in tracking and eliminating the militants. The reports suggest that the strike occurred as terrorist group militants owere leaving a high-level meeting where they had been coordinating attacks on government positions. According to Horn Pulse a local news platform Somali security sources indicate that operatives from the National Intelligence and Security…

Somalia’s Proposal Sparks Outrage in Somaliland Somaliland has strongly condemned Somalia’s reported offer of the strategic Berbera port to the United States, dismissing it as a desperate move to undermine Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition. Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden denounced the offer, calling it a “suicidal operation” by Somalia’s federal government. “This is a desperate and meaningless attempt by a corrupt regime in its final throes. There is nothing Mogadishu can do to stop Somaliland’s recognition,” Aden stated. Documents Reveal Direct Offer to Trump–WAJ WAJ has obtained documents suggesting that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud directly offered the…

Sudan’s Sovereignty Council leader and army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Mecca on Friday, where they agreed to establish a coordination council to enhance bilateral relations. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the leaders discussed Sudan’s ongoing crisis and efforts to restore stability. The proposed council aims to strengthen cooperation between the two nations across various sectors. Al-Burhan praised Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Sudan, including humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts following the country’s conflict. His visit comes amid reports of military gains by the Sudanese army against the paramilitary…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 27 for their first official discussions since Rubio took office. The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and regional stability, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s peace and development efforts, underscoring the importance of long-term stability in the region. The U.S. previously played a role in brokering the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), which ended the conflict in Tigray. Since then, Washington has emphasized the need for humanitarian access, reconciliation efforts, and the withdrawal…

Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM) has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of looting archaeological treasures, including gold, from the National Museum in Khartoum, in what experts describe as a devastating loss to the country’s cultural heritage. NCAM Director Ghalia Garelnabi stated that assailants ransacked the museum, deliberately destroying artifacts by smashing them underfoot in an apparent attempt to erase Sudan’s historical identity. A video published by the Sudan Tribune revealed extensive looting and destruction inside the museum, which has housed relics from Sudan’s ancient civilizations since its opening in 1971. The only major artifact left…

Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a special envoy to South Sudan in a bid to mediate tensions following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar. Odinga is expected to travel to Juba on Friday as part of regional efforts to prevent further instability. Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), was placed under house arrest on Wednesday after security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir reportedly surrounded his residence and disarmed his bodyguards. His party condemned the move as a violation of the 2018 peace agreement that…

The United States carried out airstrikes in northern Somalia on March 25, 2025, eliminating several ISIS-Somalia operatives near the Golis Mountains, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). The operation, conducted in partnership with the Somali government, aimed to weaken the group’s growing presence in the region. AFRICOM reported no civilian casualties. ISIS-Somalia, which emerged from former Al-Shabaab defectors, has expanded significantly in recent years, with its estimated fighters increasing from 300 in 2019 to around 1,000. The group has launched attacks on Somali security forces and foreign nationals, raising concerns about regional stability. The recent strike follows a series of…

Two senior Somali military and diplomatic sources confirmed to WAJ that Somalia and Türkiye are on the verge of finalizing a groundbreaking defense agreement that could reshape the security landscape of the Horn of Africa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is currently in Türkiye for high-level discussions, with expectations of signing new defense pacts that will significantly boost Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab. For the first time, Türkiye is set to deploy hundreds of special forces to Somalia, providing direct military support in operations against the terrorist group. These elite troops will be equipped with advanced Turkish military technology, making this…

Kenya is set to send four specialized police officers to South Sudan under the United Nations peacekeeping mission, just hours after reports emerged of First Vice President Riek Machar being placed under house arrest. The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that Inspector General Douglas Kanja briefed the officers, who will serve with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for 12 months. The officers, drawn from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations, will focus on specialized duties, including anti-cattle raiding operations. The deployment comes amid rising tensions in South Sudan after President Salva Kiir’s…

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has strongly opposed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call for Tigrayans to nominate candidates for the position of interim administration president, labeling the move as “unacceptable.” TPLF officials argue that this action breaches the CoHA (Comprehensive Agreement for Peace and Stability) and violates the federal constitution. The criticism follows Abiy’s confirmation of Getachew Reda’s departure as interim president of Tigray and his subsequent call for participation in the nomination process. According to the TPLF, such decisions are one-sided and undermine ongoing peace efforts. The group has also accused the federal government of blocking essential supplies…

Alobeid Murawih, Former Sudanese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, assessed the situation for WAJ, stating: “This is a significant indication of the beginning of the countdown to the weakening and expulsion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from Khartoum State and central Sudan. The expulsion of the RSF from Khartoum could pressure the regional forces supporting it to push for a ceasefire and a security arrangement under which the RSF would disarm, with some of its forces integrating into the national army. However, if the RSF and its foreign backers insist on continuing the fight from the Darfur states, it could mean…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to visit Türkiye on March 27 to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism and defense, reliable sources confirmed to WAJ. His visit comes as Somalia begins deploying Turkish-made Akıncı drones in its aerial campaign against Al-Shabaab militants. The Akıncı drones, known for their advanced surveillance and strike capabilities, are expected to significantly boost Somalia’s military operations against the armed group. A Somali defense official, speaking to WAJ on condition of anonymity, stated that “the new drone capabilities, combined with ongoing ground operations, will shift the momentum against Al-Shabaab.” Türkiye has played a pivotal…

Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is set to visit Türkiye on April 11, following the Sudanese army’s recent battlefield gains. This visit comes at a crucial time for Sudan, as the country’s military consolidates its control after two years of conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a war between the national army and the RSF. In the first year of the conflict, the army relocated the capital’s administrative functions to Port Sudan. However, following the recapture of Khartoum, General Al-Burhan triumphantly entered the city, celebrating the army’s…

Sudan has voiced its opposition to a planned international conference on its ongoing crisis, criticizing European nations for organizing the event without its involvement. Foreign Minister Ali Youssif conveyed Sudan’s objections during a meeting with Germany’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Heiko Nitschke, who arrived in Port Sudan on Wednesday. The upcoming conference, scheduled for mid-April in London, is being organized by the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. It aims to address Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and rally international support for the United Nations aid plan, which seeks to assist nearly 21 million people. Sudan’s Foreign…