Latest news with #alShabaab
TimesLIVE
13 hours 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
a day 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)
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Al Shabaab captures central Somali town, presses on with advance
Find out what's new on ST website and app. MOGADISHU - 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore Public healthcare institutions to record all Kpod cases, confiscate vapes: MOH, HSA Singapore Man allegedly attacks woman with knife at Kallang Wave Mall, to be charged with attempted murder Singapore Singapore boosts support for Timor-Leste as it prepares to join Asean Singapore UN aviation and maritime agencies pledge to collaborate to boost safety, tackle challenges Singapore High Court dismisses appeal of drink driver who killed one after treating Tampines road like racetrack Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat 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. REUTERS
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Blast hits military base in Somali capital: witness and al Shabaab
An explosion hit a military base in the Somali capital on Wednesday and was followed by gunfire, a witness said, as the al Qaeda-linked militant al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for what it described as a suicide bomb attack. It was not immediately clear whether there were casualties from the blast at the Jale Siyad military base in Mogadishu. "We heard a sudden blast, then gunfire inside the base as we drove past it, we could only see a huge cloud of smoke," Ahmed Nur, a bus driver, told Reuters. In 2023, in a similar incident, a suicide bomber killed 25 soldiers at the same base. In May, a suicide bomber killed at least 10 people after targeting a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base, opposite Jale Siyad. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2007 and made significant advances in the countryside this year. "A suicide bomber entered the base targeting the Western experts who train soldiers," the militant group said in a statement, adding there were casualties, without providing any details.
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Explosion followed by gunfire at military base in Somali capital
An explosion hit a military base in the Somali capital on Wednesday and was followed by gunfire, a witness said, as the al Qaeda-linked militant al-Shabaab group claimed responsibility for what it described as a suicide bomb attack. It was not immediately clear whether there were casualties from the blast at the Jale Siyad military base in Mogadishu. 'We heard a sudden blast, then gunfire inside the base as we drove past it, we could only see a huge cloud of smoke,' Ahmed Nur, a bus driver, told Reuters. In 2023, in a similar incident, a suicide bomber killed 25 soldiers at the same base. In May, a suicide bomber killed at least 10 people after targeting a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base, opposite Jale Siyad. Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2007 and made significant advances in the countryside this year. 'A suicide bomber entered the base targeting the Western experts who train soldiers,' the militant group said in a statement, adding there were casualties, without providing any details. Reuters was not able to verify the group's claims. Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi did not immediately respond to calls for comment. A new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia replaced a larger force at the start of this year, but its funding is uncertain, with the United States opposed to a plan to transition to a UN financing model.
