Also known as: Shabaab · al-Qaeda linked al Shabaab militia
Al-Shabaab — militant organization that has conducted attacks in Kenya and Somalia, including bombings, roadside attacks, and raids on infrastructure and convoys.
… According to the council, the absence of a political consensus has contributed to growing fragmentation, weakened national institutions and distracted the country’s security forces from their primary mission of combating extremist groups such as al-Shabaab and Da’esh. …
Audio By VocalizeSuspected Al-Shabaab militants on Saturday night attacked Abakaile Village in Dadaab, Garissa County, damaging a Safaricom telecommunications mast in what authorities believe was another attempt to disrupt communication infrastructure in the region. …
… eering Hirshabelle towards political stability and economic growth.Launching his manifesto, Adawe outlined five key priorities for his administration: fostering reconciliation and unity among communities and strengthening security through intensified operations against Al-Shabaab …
… bnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Presenting his manifesto, Adawe outlined five key priorities for his administration: promoting reconciliation and unity among communities; strengthening security through intensified operations against Al-Shabaab …
… bnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Presenting his manifesto, Adawe outlined five key priorities for his administration: promoting reconciliation and unity among communities; strengthening security through intensified operations against Al-Shabaab …
MANDERA, Kenya, July 13 (Xinhua) — Kenyan forces have intensified counter-terrorism operations along the Somalia border, killing 11 al-Shabaab terrorists in Mandera County in the northeastern region. …
… Supporters argue those priorities remain essential in the fight against the Al-Shabaab insurgency and efforts to strengthen state institutions.However, critics contend that his tenure strained relations between the federal government and regional states, fuelling political tensio …
… Defeating Al-Shabaab, completing constitutional reforms, fighting corruption, improving relations between Mogadishu and the Federal Member States, and creating jobs for millions of young people remain among Somalia’s biggest challenges. …
… With this door closed, the African Union warned that the move could significantly affect AUSSOM’s logistics, troop sustainment and operational effectiveness at a time when the mission remains central to Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab.According to diplomatic sources, the Unite …
A federal judge in Boston cleared the way for the Trump administration to strip nearly 1,100 Somalis of Temporary Protected Status, allowing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to terminate their legal protections against deportation. The ruling followed a June Supreme Court decision that curtailed judicial review of administration efforts to end TPS designations for migrants from 13 countries.
A federal judge in Boston cleared the way for the Trump administration to strip nearly 1,100 Somalis of Temporary Protected Status, allowing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to terminate their legal protections against deportation. The ruling followed a June Supreme Court decision that curtailed judicial review of administration efforts to end TPS designations for migrants from 13 countries.
A Somali minister surrendered Kenyan citizenship documents in Mogadishu, prompting scrutiny of Kenya's passport integrity and the dual citizenship status of Somali Federal Government officials. The move followed Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's order for ministers to surrender Kenyan citizenship documents or relinquish their positions, after two senior officials were deported from Kenya when their documents were rejected.
A Kahawa Law Courts has sentenced Ibrahim Hussein Hassan, an Al-Shabaab member, to a combined 115 years in prison after convicting him of seven terrorism-related offences; however, the sentences will run concurrently, so he will serve 20 years, the longest individual sentence.
Nelson Koech, Chair of Parliament's Defence Committee, writes that Kenya must remain vigilant against terrorism on the 28th anniversary of the August 1998 Al-Qaeda bombings of US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which killed more than 200 people.
A Standard editorial criticises Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for focusing on pursuing politicians over inflammatory utterances while insecurity persists across the North Rift, Eastern Kenya, and border zones, with armed bandits continuing attacks in Isiolo, Samburu, and Meru counties despite his visits and promises.
An opinion piece argues that Kenyans should be familiar with counter-terrorism laws, particularly the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012, to support government efforts against terror and avoid inadvertently committing terrorism-related offences, which carry severe penalties.
Leaders of African Union military mission countries said Friday they want to extend the AUSSOM mandate, which provides roughly 12,000 troops supporting Somalia against Al-Shabaab, despite the United States ending political and financial support to UN logistics that sustains the operation.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki arrived in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 31 to represent President William Ruto at the 2nd Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, where leaders are deliberating on the peacekeeping mission's operational strategy, financing, and the transition of security responsibilities to the Somali National Army by December 2029.
Five security personnel—four from the Special Operations Group and one National Police Reservist—were killed when their vehicle struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a main supply route in Arabia, Mandera County. No group has claimed immediate responsibility, though the region has a history of attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
Ibrahim Hussein Hassan was convicted by Kahawa Law Courts on seven terrorism-related charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, after the ODPP proved he was a member of the outlawed Al-Shabaab terrorist group. The charges included membership in a terrorist group, collection of information connected with terrorism, and possession of articles linked to terrorist acts.
Somalia's Somali Future Council—comprising former presidents, prime ministers, and regional leaders—has called on African Union troop-contributing countries to prioritise an inclusive political settlement before implementing further security transition under AUSSOM, citing constitutional and political crises ahead of a Kampala regional summit.
Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked Abakaile Village in Dadaab, Garissa County on Saturday night, opening fire on a Safaricom telecommunications mast before fleeing. No injuries were reported, though initial confusion led to reports of a missing teacher who was later accounted for.
Former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe has officially declared his candidacy for Somalia's Hirshabelle State presidential elections, outlining priorities including security against Al-Shabaab, reconciliation, economic expansion through agriculture and livestock, an independent justice system, and essential public services.
Former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe has declared his candidacy for the presidency of Somalia's Hirshabelle State, launching a campaign centred on security, reconciliation and economic transformation with five key priorities including promoting community reconciliation, strengthening security operations against Al-Shabaab, and expanding economic opportunities.
Former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe has declared his candidacy for Hirshabelle State's presidency, launching a campaign centred on security, reconciliation and economic transformation, with five key priorities including promoting community reconciliation, strengthening security operations against Al-Shabaab, and expanding economic opportunities.
Kenyan Counter Terrorism Policing's Special Operations Group conducted an intelligence-led operation on an al-Shabaab camp near the Somalia border, killing 11 terrorists and injuring seven others. Three PKM guns and approximately 409 ammunitions were recovered from the group of roughly 30 militants who were preparing to attack a border village.
Four prominent figures—former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, and businessman Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed Fiqi—are emerging as leading contenders to succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Somalia's next presidential election. Each candidate presents a distinct vision for addressing the nation's persistent insecurity, fragile state institutions, and economic challenges.
Somalia's next presidential election is beginning to dominate political discourse, with four prominent figures — former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid), and businessman Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed Fiqi — emerging as leading contenders to succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Each candidate brings a distinct vision for addressing the nation's persistent insecurity, fragile state institutions and economic challenges.
Somalia's next presidential election is approaching, with four names dominating political circles in Mogadishu: former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid), and businessman Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed Fiqi. Each candidate presents a different vision for addressing Somalia's insecurity, political fragmentation, and economic challenges.
The Trump administration has notified the African Union that it will no longer support the UN Support Office in Somalia after December 31, 2026, jeopardizing the logistical operations that sustain nearly 12,000 AU personnel deployed in the country. The AU convened its Peace and Security Council to examine the implications and explore alternatives to keep the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia operational.
A driver injured by gunfire and glass shards during an Al-Shabaab attack on a convoy in April 2024 was awarded Sh21,918,620 in compensation by the Director of Occupational Safety and Health Services. The company's appeal of the award was dismissed by Justice Monica Mbaru on June 29 as an abuse of court process, since it was filed outside the 30-day window stipulated under the Work Injury Benefit Act.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for stronger political and financial backing for the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), arguing that sustainable African-led financing is needed to maintain security gains against Al-Shabaab and reduce reliance on external funding.
The US announced it would end critical funding for the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), which provides the bulk of funding to the African Union's military mission (AUSSOM) supporting the Somali army, over lack of progress against Al-Shabaab. The AU convened an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the future of the mission.
The African Union called an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia after Washington announced it would end critical funding to UN logistics that support AUSSOM, the leading force aiding the Somali army against the Al-Shabaab insurgency. The US said in a July 1 letter it would halt payments to the UN Support Office in Somalia at year-end and block further UN logistical support to AUSSOM at the Security Council.
The United States announced it will withdraw support for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia after 2026, a move that could affect peace operations in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. UNSOS provides air transport, engineering, medical support and equipment to African Union forces; its withdrawal would require the AU and troop-contributing countries to find alternative funding and support arrangements.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned political players against using goons at events and called on elected leaders to embrace peace and issue-based politics. Murkomen stated that the government has authorised county security teams to take action against politicians ferrying goons to meetings or using guns to threaten residents.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made an unexpected visit to Kenya and met with President William Ruto at Ruto's private residence in Narok County. According to official information, the two discussed bilateral issues and mechanisms for regional peace and stabilisation, though insiders noted Mohamud had been summoned to receive a brief from G7 leaders concerned about Somalia's deteriorating political situation.
Terrorist organisations like Al-Shabaab and Islamic State Somalia are increasingly recruiting women for intelligence gathering, recruitment, weapons smuggling, and financial facilitation because their perceived harmlessness allows them to evade security detection. Kenya has responded by placing 13 terrorists, including women, on domestic terrorism sanctions lists and focusing on identifying Kenyan women recruited into these groups.
Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama, Somalia's Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Speaker Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe. If elected, Abdulkadir would assume the influential Speaker role at a critical moment as Somalia navigates constitutional reforms and efforts to consolidate democratic institutions.
Somalia held one-person-one-vote elections in parts of southern Somalia on December 25, 2025, marking a historic shift toward universal suffrage after decades in which such elections were viewed as aspirational rather than realistic. The move has drawn both support and criticism over concerns about political motives, security, and lack of consensus on constitutional reforms.