Latest news with #AlShabab
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Somalia donors losing faith as Al-Shabab surges
NAIROBI: Despite billions of dollars in international support, Somalia's army has melted in the face of a months-long offensive by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab insurgency, and donors are running out of patience. Using hundreds of fighters and a vehicle packed with explosives for a suicide attack, Al-Shabab retook the town of Moqokori on July 7, the latest in a wave of defeats this year for the government. It has given them a strategic geographical position to launch attacks into the Hiiraan region, but it was also a powerful symbolic victory over a local clan militia that had been the government's 'best fighting force' against Al-Shabab, according to Omar Mahmood of the International Crisis Group. Somalia's government has been battling the Islamist militant group since the mid-2000s and its fortunes have waxed and waned, but now faces a perfect storm of declining international support, a demoralized army and political infighting. The government relied on local militias, known as 'Macwiisley,' for a successful campaign in 2022-23, taking some 200 towns and villages from Al-Shabab. But the insurgents' counter-offensive this year has seen them regain some 90 percent of their lost territory, estimates Rashid Abdi of Sahan Research, a think tank. Towns that were supposed models of stabilization, like Masaajid Cali Gaduud and Adan Yabal, have fallen. Three bridges along the Shebelle River, crucial to military supply lines, have been destroyed. 'The whole stretch from the north-west to the south-west of Mogadishu is now controlled largely by Al-Shabab,' Abdi told AFP. The Macwiisley campaign collapsed, he said, because the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, known as HSM, 'was extremely inept at working with the clans,' empowering some and not others based on political favoritism rather than military needs. 'The mobilization went well when the president came from Mogadishu to start the first phase of the offensive (in 2022). Everybody was heavily involved in the fighting... assisting the national army,' Mohamed Hassan, a local militia member in Hiiraan, told AFP. 'It's no longer the same because the leadership are no longer involved and there seems to be disorganization in how the community militias are mobilized,' he added. The Somali National Army has done little to stem the insurgents, unsurprising for a force 'still in development mode while trying to fight a war at the same time,' said Mahmood, the analyst. Its most effective arm, the US-trained 'Danab' commando unit, is better at killing militants than holding territory, and has suffered demoralizing losses to its officer corps, added Abdi. 'We are beginning to see an army that is not just dysfunctional, but losing the will to actually fight,' he said. The problems stem from the wider chaos of Somali politics, in which a kaleidoscope of clan demands have never resolved into anything like a national consensus. The government has vowed a renewed military push, but President Mohamud's focus has been on holding the country's first-ever one-man, one-vote election next year. That 'will not happen,' said a Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. Even in Mogadishu, where security is strongest, 'any polling station would get bombed,' he said. 'It's unfortunate that attention was shifted toward insignificant political-related matters which do not help security instead of focusing on strengthening the armed forces,' ex-president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed recently told reporters. Al-Shabab has not launched a full assault on the capital, but has repeatedly demonstrated its presence. Pot-shots targeting the airport are at an all-time high, said the diplomat, and Mohamud narrowly survived an attack on his convoy outside the presidential palace in March. The group also controls much of the economy. 'It out-taxes the state. Its business tentacles spread everywhere,' said Abdi. 'It is one of the wealthiest insurgencies in Africa.' Meanwhile, the government's foreign backers are losing patience. The European Union and United States have poured well over $7 billion into Somali security — primarily various African Union-led missions — since 2007, according to the EU Institute for Security Studies. The previous AU mission ended in December, but had to be immediately replaced with a new one — with the quip-generating acronym AUSSOM — because Somali forces were still not ready to take over. 'There's a huge amount of donor fatigue. People are asking: 'What have we bought for the last 10 years?' Seeing the army run away and having (to create) AUSSOM was really hard for people,' said the diplomat. Donors, especially Washington, are reluctant to keep funding the AU mission. Mahmood estimates it will scrabble together two-thirds of its funding for 2025: 'Enough to keep things going... but there's clearly a chronic shortfall.' Somalia has struck deals with newer partners like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt. Turkiye has deployed about 500 troops, backed by drones, to reinforce security in Mogadishu. But they are interested in protecting investments such as a mooted Turkish spaceport, said Mahmood, rather than leading the fight against Al-Shabab. 'We are staring at a very grim situation,' said Abdi.
Observer
5 days 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
16-07-2025
- 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
16-07-2025
- 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.
