Hundreds of Somali spectators cheered as they watched two teams of young women play football in a Mogadishu stadium — an unimaginable scene in the conservative, conflict-hit country just a few years ago. Such events were heavily threatened until recently in Somalia’s capital by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group Al-Shabaab, which frowns on entertainment like football, […]
Somalia
Somalia eager to buy 24 Pakistani-built JF-17 fighter jets
Somalia is in advanced negotiations with Pakistan to acquire up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets as part of a defence package valued at around $900 million, Somali and Pakistani media reported, in what would be Mogadishu’s largest defence purchase since the collapse of the central state in 1991. The discussions gained momentum […]
Pakistan, Somalia abolish visas for diplomatic passport holders
President Asif Ali Zardari, Saturday, met Minister of Interior of Somalia Ali Yousuf and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the bilateral engagement. He also witnessed the signing of an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports between Pakistan and Somalia, President Secretariat Media Wing in a press release said. The agreement was signed […]
Israel’s Somaliland move raises fears of regional fragmentation
Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state has sparked strong reactions across the Muslim world and renewed concerns about the long-term consequences of external involvement in fragile regions. Read More: Somalia terms Israeli FM visit to Somaliland an ‘incursion’ Somaliland, a self-declared republic in northwestern Somalia, declared independence in 1991 but remained unrecognised internationally until Israel’s move […]
Somalia cancels all agreements with UAE amid tensions
Somalia announced the cancellation of all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, citing concerns over actions that it said undermined its national sovereignty and territorial unity. The move comes amid rising tensions over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and reports of Emirati involvement in the escape of a Yemeni separatist leader. Read More: […]
Somalia terms Israeli FM visit to Somaliland an ‘incursion’
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sara visited Somaliland on Tuesday on a trip that was denounced by Somalia, 10 days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared republic as an independent and sovereign state. Israel is the only country that has formally recognised Somaliland’s move to break away from Somalia, which described Israel’s decision on recognition as […]
Pakistan rejects bid to ‘undermine Somalia’s sovereignty’ after Israel’s Somaliland recognition
Pakistan on Saturday rejected Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, terming it an attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty. Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday, with Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, saying his state will join the Abraham Accords. The decision could reshape […]
Israel recognises Somaliland as independent state
Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a move that could reshape political dynamics in the Horn of Africa and intensify tensions with Somalia, which strongly opposes any recognition of the breakaway region. Read More: Two killed in stabbing, ramming attack in northern Israel, police say Israeli […]
Tragedy at sea: 42 Migrants feared dead off Libya’s coast
At least 42 migrants are missing and presumed dead after a rubber boat capsized off Libya’s coast, the IOM said. Libyan authorities rescued seven survivors who had drifted at sea for six days. The vessel, carrying 49 people, sank near the Al Buri offshore oilfield north-northwest of the Libyan coast. The International Organization for Migration […]
EU naval force secures ship attacked off Somalia coast
Nairobi, Kenya: The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force successfully secured a merchant vessel attacked off the coast of Somalia on Thursday. The ship, Hellas Aphrodite, operated by Greek firm Latsco Marine Management, was en route from India to South Africa with 24 crew members aboard when armed assailants attempted to seize it. According to the […]