The extremist group has also escalated attacks inside Mogadishu, launching a series of deadly mortar bombardments and bombings that have raised fears among residents and exposed vulnerabilities in the city’s security apparatus.

Amid this deepening crisis, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last week proposed a national platform to unite federal government institutions, regional states, and opposition groups in the fight against terrorism.

However, the initiative has yet to materialize, and political divisions remain stark — with at least two Federal Member States reportedly refusing to recognize his administration, which critics say is increasingly isolated in Mogadishu.

In response, Somalia’s international partners have welcomed the president’s call for a unified political and community platform, urging Somali leaders to take swift and coordinated action against the militant threat.

“A unified and inclusive strategy is indispensable to achieving success against Al-Shabaab and advancing Somalia’s state-building priorities,” said a joint statement released by Somalia’s international partners on 7 April.

“We urge the Government, Federal Member State leaders, and political and societal stakeholders to meet expeditiously to ensure a unified, effective response to the ongoing Al-Shabaab offensive.”

The partners — including the African Union, United Nations, United States, European Union, and neighboring countries — also commended the Somali Security Forces and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) for their efforts in countering Al-Shabaab’s recent advances in Lower and Middle Shabelle regions.

“We remain steadfast in support of the government and people of Somalia as they strive to build a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation,” the statement added.

As the militant threat grows closer to Mogadishu, many observers warn that Somalia’s political impasse and lack of coordinated leadership could embolden Al-Shabaab unless urgent action is taken.

The post Al-Shabaab Advances Near Mogadishu as International Partners Call for Unity Against Militants appeared first on Kaab TV.

The incidents, which involved around 66 people in total, occurred hours apart on Thursday, with authorities on each side unaware of the other’s rescue operations.

On the Greek side, the coastguard said a patrol boat spotted a small five-meter dinghy taking on water.

Rescuers managed to save 23 people—11 minors, eight men, and four women—out of a reported 31 passengers.

During a subsequent search-and-rescue operation involving helicopters, coastguard vessels, and the European border agency FRONTEX, authorities recovered the bodies of seven victims: three women, two boys, one girl, and one man.

Rescuers continued searching for a missing young girl on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old survivor was arrested on suspicion of people smuggling after other passengers allegedly identified him as the boat’s pilot, the coastguard reported.

In Türkiye, officials in the northwestern province of Çanakkale said the coastguard responded to an emergency call early Thursday, deploying three boats and a helicopter. They rescued 25 people and later recovered nine bodies.

The search continued for one missing person. Turkish media reported that the survivors were taken to a local hospital.

Dangerous Route Claims More Lives

Shipwrecks are frequent along the short but treacherous route between the Turkish coast and Greek islands such as Samos, Rhodes, and Lesbos, key entry points to the European Union for those fleeing conflict and poverty.

Greece has intensified sea patrols in recent years, prompting smuggling networks to shift operations further south, using larger boats to transport people from North Africa to southern Greece.

According to the United Nations, more than 54,000 people traveled the eastern Mediterranean route to Greece last year, while over 7,700 crossed the country’s land border with Türkiye. A total of 125 people were reported dead or missing.

The post At Least 16 Refugees Dead After Boats Sink Between Türkiye and Greece appeared first on Kaab TV.