The death toll in Somalia has now reached more than 300 people following the worst bomb attack to ever happen in the Horn of Africa nation. The massive truck bomb that exploded Sunday at the KM5 junction in Soobe, one of the busiest areas of Mogadishu, also left hundreds of…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
News outlets based in the United States say they have confirmed the authenticity of a letter from the Somali government, appealing for U.S. military assistance to stop a resurgent al-Shabaab from mining uranium and passing it on to Iran. Both the Fox News network and Voice of America (VOA) say…
A bold attack on a restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Wednesday continued late into the night, as armed men held an unknown number of hostages inside. An updated story from the Associated Press said that at least 31 people had died in a violent and confusing attack…
United States military officials say eight al-Shabaab militants have been killed in an American airstrike in southern Somalia over the weekend. That strike occurred early Sunday morning at an al-Shabaab training camp near Sakow, in the country’s Middle Juba region, according to a statement issued by Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi…
A member of the United States military was killed Thursday by al-Shabaab militants near Barii, about 40 miles west of Mogadishu. It was believed to be the first such death of an American in Somalia since 1993. The U.S. Africa Command said in a statement that the death occurred as…
Heavy fighting was reported Friday morning following car bomb attacks that hit a Kenyan Defense Force base in the Lower Jubba region, near the border of Kenya and Somalia. News outlet Harar24 reports that Al-Shabaab fighters have overrun the base. Multiple reports from both residents and other local media said the attack…
The United States Embassy in Nairobi confirmed a shooting near its facility Thursday, but said no embassy personnel were involved. Kenyan officials tell the Associated Press that a man was fatally shot after attacking a guard outside the embassy wall. The man, a Kenyan from the Wajir region, stabbed the…
Somali security agents have released Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Mohamed, who was arrested Tuesday in Mogadishu. Radio Shabelle reports that Mohamed and cameraman Nur Mohamed were released from custody in the Somali capital. The Qatari news network had confirmed that Mohamed, a British national, was detained with the cameraman and two others while in Somalia…
Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Mohamed was arrested Tuesday by Somali security agents in Mogadishu. Radio Shabelle reports that Mohamed and cameraman Nur Mohamed remain in custody in the Somali capital. The Qatari news network confirmed that Mohamed, a British national, was detained with the cameraman and two others while in Somalia on a reporting…
On Friday night a large explosion hit Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The bomb was quickly followed by gunfire heard around the city, reported Shabelle Media Network. At least 30 people were killed during the attack which was claimed by al-Shabaab. The attack was carried out outside a popular park and hotel…
Whilst security issues continue to concern the country, today, Garissa University College officially reopened after the attack which killed almost 150 people nine months ago, reported the BBC. However, although extra security measures have been taken to protects students at the university, safety continues to be a major concern within…
The Somali government has banned both Christmas and New Year’s celebration saying they are “contrary to Islamic culture” and that such events could be targets of terrorism. The regime stated that festivities could “damage the faith of the Muslim community.” There are very few Somali Christians however the country contains more…
The Kenyan government announced on December 1 that all quarries in Mandera must be closed immediately due to security reasons. “We have asked miners to leave for their homes until next year because we need time to organize our security team and they also need to be with their families,”…
Last night during a suspected drone attack the al-Qaeda affiliate group, al-Shabaab were attacked in southern Somalia reported Reuters and Diplomat.SO. The attacked which targeted a base belonging to the Islamist extremist group is believed to have killed at least eight people, stated Voice of America (VOA). VOA reported that…
Nairobi, Kenya: It’s all systems go ahead of the state visit by the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, next month. Preparations to receive the Catholic spiritual leader are in top gear even as Muslims and Christians step up joint efforts to end youth radicalisation in the country. The…
Robert Wanjala is a passionate investigative journalist with over five years experience.