The new unit, named the South West Special Police Force, is reportedly being trained in security operations, countering Al-Shabaab, and protecting key government facilities.

The training is taking place at a camp on the outskirts of Baydhabo in the South West State, as well as in locations in Ethiopia.

On Saturday, President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, who visited the new force today, announced that they will operate across all areas of the South West State.

“You will defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the flag of the South West State,” Laftagareen said.

He noted that Al-Shabaab continues to cause significant problems in the region and emphasized that the force is needed to clear them out.

The president also praised Ethiopia, calling them “brothers” for providing training to the new unit.

Officials from the South West State said that this new force will be part of broader efforts to strengthen security in the region, particularly in the Baay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle areas, where Al-Shabaab attacks continue to occur.

Ethiopia has long provided military support and training to both Somalia’s federal government and its regional administrations, and is among the countries whose troops operate in Somalia.

This development comes amid ongoing security changes and military movements in parts of southern Somalia.

Meanwhile, Egypt — which has tense relations with Ethiopia — recently announced that it will send troops and weapons to Somalia.

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AFRICOM has been widely praised for its role in supporting Jubaland and Puntland in countering the militant groups al-Shabaab and ISIS, which continue to pose an imminent threat to local communities.

President Madobe thanked the officers for their security cooperation, particularly in the areas of training and counterterrorism operations, and for their key role in recent operations that led to the defeat of militants in several parts of Jubaland.

He commended the AFRICOM Special Operations forces for their bravery and close cooperation with local forces, and formally awarded them Medals of Honor and Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their contributions to strengthening security in the region.

Despite its relatively small Special Operations presence, AFRICOM maintains close coordination with Jubaland authorities.

Last week, AFRICOM Deputy Commander Ambassador Robert Scott said Puntland, Jubaland, and Somaliland have proven to be effective partners in the fight against ISIS and al-Shabaab in Somalia.

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Meanwhile, Somaliland has received recognition from the government of Israel becoming the first country to recognside Hargeisa as a sovereign country after more than three decade of waiting. Somalia continues to refuse this move, a development that has further complicated the overall political landscape.

The spokesperson of the Somali Salvation Forum (opposition alliance), Mohamed Mohamud Diriye (Beyle), told Kaab TV that the federal government must present a clear roadmap to save the country and reach a national consensus on elections.

“We are constantly warning and calling for restraint. We are urging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to come to his senses,” Beyle said.

He stressed that the opposition firmly rejects any election organized unilaterally by the president, describing such a move as illegal.

“It appears to us that the president wants to conduct an election on his own, in which he would be both a contestant and a referee,” Beyle added.

In December, the federal government held a highly disputed election in Mogadishu, which was outright rejected by opposition groups. The process lacked transparency and was also opposed by the Puntland and Jubaland administrations.

Recently, the opposition-led Somali Salvation Forum announced that if no agreement on elections is reached by January 20, 2026, it will launch its own electoral roadmap, which it says is intended to rescue the country from political collapse.

The federal government has since issued a statement inviting opposition leaders to participate in a political dialogue scheduled to take place in Mogadishu.

However, in a statement released on Saturday, the opposition conditioned its participation on several requirements, foremost among them credible security guarantees.

This comes amid an ongoing political standoff between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the leaders of Puntland and Jubaland. The federal government has also refused to recognize Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) following the regional election held in November 2024.

Beyle told Kaab TV that the opposition is categorically opposed to any attempt by President Hassan Sheikh to extend his term, arguing that he is seeking a two-year extension of his mandate.

There are growing fears that Somalia could slide into political and security instability if an inclusive political settlement is not reached, at a time when the militant group Al-Shabaab is steadily advancing closer to the capital, Mogadishu.

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The joint forces conducted planned operations at several locations west of the Buula Xaaji area, including the villages of Aaga Wadajir, Xaliimo Cadey, Boqoqaha, Karas Kukiye, and Hajini.

A statement released by the Jubbaland administration confirmed that at least 12 Al-Shabaab militants were killed during the operations. The militants were reportedly hiding in underground bunkers they had dug.

“During the operation, the forces killed more than 12 terrorists who were hiding in underground tunnels, which ultimately became their graves,” the Jubbaland statement said.

The forces also dismantled several landmines planted by the group along roads connecting the areas where the operations took place. All of these areas fall under the administration of Kismayo, the capital of the Lower Jubba region.

These operations come as the Somali National Army has intensified its campaign against Al-Shabaab militants in recent weeks, particularly in the Jubba regions and the two Shabelle regions.

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This move comes as Somalia faces an intensified offensive by the Al-Shabaab militant group, which is affiliated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network.

According to intelligence sources, Somalia’s Director of Intelligence, Mahad Mohamed Salad—who is alleged to have links to the Muslim Brotherhood—recently undertook a secret trip to Algeria and Azerbaijan. During the visit, he reportedly carried a request from the Somali government seeking assistance in obtaining kamikaze drones.

Sources further claim that the request involved as many as 25,000 kamikaze drones.

Al-Shabaab, which has waged a nearly two-decade-long insurgency against the Somali government and African Union forces, has been advancing rapidly and expanding its presence in towns surrounding the capital, Mogadishu.

There are increasing fears that the group could threaten Mogadishu itself.

At the same time, recent talks between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration and the militant group—reportedly mediated by Qatar—have collapsed. The dialogue is said to have involved elders and business figures with close ties to Al-Shabaab.

Concerns Over Kamikaze Drones

Al-Shabaab is also actively seeking suicide-capable drones.

The group has reportedly engaged in discussions with Yemen’s Houthi movement, which receives backing from Iran, in an effort to acquire such weapons.

For years, Al-Shabaab has infiltrated Somali state institutions amid widespread corruption, frequently gaining access to military equipment and sensitive intelligence. Analysts warn this could make it easier for the group to obtain kamikaze drones should they be introduced into Somalia.

The militants also regularly raid military bases, seizing weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment. As a result, there are growing concerns that advanced suicide drones brought into Mogadishu could eventually fall into extremist hands.

Iran, a key producer of kamikaze drones, remains under heavy international sanctions, with Western governments accusing Tehran of supporting global terrorism. Algeria, an Arab League member, is believed to maintain relatively strong relations with Iran.

Sources say Somalia is seeking assistance not only to finance the purchase of the drones but also to facilitate their transportation.

Kamikaze drones are unmanned aerial vehicles designed to detonate upon impact, often used in modern asymmetric warfare.

Russia has previously deployed Iranian-made kamikaze drones, including the Shahed-136 and Shahed-131, in its war against Ukraine. Iran is widely believed to have supplied these systems to Moscow for use in the conflict.

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has not officially commented on the reported request for Iranian-made kamikaze drones.

Meanwhile, Mogadishu has been gradually re-engaging with Tehran. In July 2024, the Somali government dispatched a delegation led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Iraq, where they are believed to have held meetings with figures including Iranian intelligence officials linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement.

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U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed to Fox News Digital on Friday that it conducted 10 airstrikes in 2024. By contrast, more than 100 strikes have already been executed in Somalia this year.

In the most recent operation on Tuesday, AFRICOM forces took part in an airstrike and an alleged four-hour gun battle with ISIS-Somalia fighters in Puntland, located in northern Somalia.

According to an AFRICOM press release, the mission was carried out “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.”

Several local sources reported that high-ranking ISIS operatives were targeted. Early accounts suggest that a senior militant leader was either killed or apprehended, and up to 10 fighters were eliminated. No U.S. casualties have been reported.

This latest strike follows a series of U.S. missions targeting extremist factions throughout Somalia, including ISIS, ISIS-Somalia, and the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab.

An AFRICOM spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the U.S. “conducted an airstrike approximately 66 km southeast of Bossaso. To date, we have completed 101 airstrikes in Somalia — 59 of which specifically targeted ISIS-Somalia.

“In collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, we continue to take measures to diminish the capacity of ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab to threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.”

According to local accounts, U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones initially launched missiles at militants positioned in and around a large cave. This was reportedly followed by an assault involving 10 helicopters. Multiple sources claimed that U.S. personnel disembarked from the aircraft during the operation.

However, U.S. military officials denied that American troops conducted any on-ground maneuvers, firmly rejecting reports that U.S. forces had set foot on Somali territory. Officials reiterated that no ground operation took place.

In a public statement, AFRICOM emphasized that “specific details about units and assets will not be released” to preserve operational security.

In August, AFRICOM announced multiple airstrikes against ISIS militants. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson stated that “these lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to keeping Americans and our partners safe from the threat of global terrorism.” He added that the strikes targeted “an organization intending to export its violence to the U.S. and our allies.”

Official military photographs showed U.S. aircraft launching from an aircraft carrier during the operations.

Ahmed Soliman, a senior research fellow in the Africa Programme at Chatham House, told Fox News Digital, “The U.S. focus on [ISIS] in Puntland is partly driven by the goal of preventing another international [ISIS] ‘safe haven’ from emerging, as well as concerns about ISIS-Somalia’s recruitment of foreign fighters.”

He added, “However, this emphasis has raised concerns that the international response may not be keeping pace with al-Shabab’s resurgence in central and southern Somalia. Al-Shabab has taken advantage of the shifting international focus to reestablish its operational areas.

“These gains have occurred amid Somalia’s increasingly fractured domestic political environment. Persistent power struggles between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and federal member states such as Puntland and Jubaland have undermined coordination and counterterrorism efforts.”

In May, AFRICOM’s former commander, Gen. Michael E. Langley, speaking about U.S. strikes in Somalia, told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the U.S. “is actively pursuing and eliminating jihadist fighters.”

The post U.S. Sharply Increases Somalia Airstrikes as Trump Administration Pursues ISIS and al-Qaeda Militants appeared first on Kaab TV.

Reports indicate that an airstrike was conducted in the area, specifically targeting Al-Shabaab positions.

Officials from the National Army stated that the operation has advanced into several areas previously held by the militants, following heavy pressure and targeted airstrikes.

A small number of local troops is accompanying the National Army in its operations against Al-Shabaab in the region.

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According to a government statement released Tuesday, the precision operation was conducted late Monday night in the Cumar Beere area.

The target, Hassan Siidoow Hussein, was identified as one of Al-Shabaab’s most influential field operatives in Lower Shabelle.

Authorities described him as the chief architect behind the group’s widespread use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which have caused heavy civilian casualties, hindered transportation, and disrupted economic activity along key supply routes.

Security officials added that Hussein played a central role in coordinating ambushes, roadside bombings, and logistical support for Al-Shabaab cells operating throughout the region.

His elimination, they said, represents a significant blow to the group’s ability to execute large-scale attacks.

Gaashaan forces also killed three armed militants who were escorting Hussein at the time of the operation.

NISA reaffirmed that counterterrorism operations will continue to intensify as part of the broader national effort to protect civilians, secure major transport corridors, and dismantle remaining insurgent networks across south-central Somalia.

The agency urged members of the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities or information related to Al-Shabaab or ISIS affiliates through official security hotlines and communication channels, emphasizing that community cooperation remains essential to sustaining recent security gains.

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The footage, published by the group, was recorded during a graduation ceremony for a new batch of fighters enlisted into a unit named after Sheikh Muhamed Mire — a senior commander who served as the group’s finance boss and was linked to the 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi and the 2019 DusitD2 attack. Mire was killed in a U.S. airstrike on 24 December 2024.

Dressed in Somali military camouflage and carrying an AK-47, Ali Dheere praised recruits who completed training at the “Sheikh Muhamed Mire” camp.

He addressed a masked, uniformed group of fighters — many in full combat gear and American-style boots — seated under trees’ shade in what appeared to be a dense southern Somalia forest.

The appearance comes days after Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) claimed it had killed Ali Dheere and several other senior al-Shabaab commanders.

The group’s video appears intended to refute those claims and show that Ali Dheere is alive.

In a roughly 29-minute speech, Ali Dheere invoked the Israel–Gaza war to argue that human-rights protections are failing in the Muslim world, before shifting focus to Mogadishu and the forced evictions of many civilian population in the capital.

“Take an example of what is going on today in Mogadishu. No single place was spared. Even schools, hospitals and public lands were looted,” he said. “Every day we see on the media women and elderly crying.”

Ali Dheere warned businessmen, soldiers, government officials and clan elders he accused of participating in the evictions, saying al-Shabaab “will not forgive them.”

He stated the group plans to establish an Islamic court to return what he described as looted land to its original owners and vowed that public lands would be preserved under the movement’s control.

Intelligence sources in Mogadishu told this reporter that some local clan elders have recently met with al-Shabaab commanders to complain about evictions they link to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his family, and Premier Bank, of which the president is reportedly a co-owner.

Those sources said some complaints have been referred to al-Shabaab courts after a loss of confidence in government judicial institutions.

Referring to the new recruits, Ali Dheere thanked Somali clans “for contributing their boys to the jihadi group.”

He also criticised the government’s counter-insurgency campaign, which began in 2022 and has since slowed, claiming al-Shabaab is retaking areas previously seized by government forces.

“I call all to be prepared to bring this fight to an end and finish the small portion that is remaining for us,” he said, reiterating the group’s long-term aim of establishing an Islamic republic in Somalia.

Somalia’s government and security officials have not yet issued an immediate response to the video.

The post Al-Shabaab Spokesman Denounces Mogadishu Evictions, Hails New Recruits in Video Address appeared first on Kaab TV.

Speaking at a press conference today in Mogadishu, organized by the opposition alliance Somali Salvation Forum following their two-day meeting in the city, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed highlighted growing security concerns.

“The threat from Al-Shabaab is rising, and the government is not fully engaged as it should be,” Sharif said.

“You know that Al-Shabaab has returned to areas that were liberated, and they are planning to take control of other regions, while the government remains distracted by divisive issues,” he added.

The former president warned that areas previously cleared of Al-Shabaab have been retaken, raising fears that the group could capture additional territory.

In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab has exerted pressure around Mogadishu, deploying its militants to the city’s outskirts.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed condemned land seizures, noting that not only public land but also privately owned land, particularly belonging to vulnerable citizens, is being auctioned off.

“It is deeply troubling that public land is being auctioned while the land of the poor is being taken, leaving people without homes or shelter,” he said.

He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of being behind these auctions and land grabs affecting both public property and land owned by Mogadishu’s vulnerable residents.

Sharif also highlighted the recent wave of kidnappings in Mogadishu, where individuals expressing grievances are being detained. He cited peace activist Hussein Xaadoole, who was held for four days without being brought before a court.

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