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    Traffic police officer shot dead in Bakarah market, Mogadishu

    Bombings hit areas near Mogadishu city HQs

    Heavy fighting underway between local forces, Al-Shabaab in Hiran region

    Heavy fighting underway between local forces, Al-Shabaab in Hiran region

    Joint security operation kills nearly 50 Al-Shabaab fighters in Hawadley  

    Joint security operation kills nearly 50 Al-Shabaab fighters in Hawadley  

    SNA eliminates 21 Al-Shabaab fighters in Hawadley

    Somalia to expand offensive against al-Shabab

    ATMIS congratulates SNA on liberation of strategic towns

    ATMIS congratulates SNA on liberation of strategic towns

  • Parliament
    Somali Parliament expected to decide on the 2022 budget today

    Somali Parliament expected to decide on the 2022 budget today

    Parliamentary Election Committee to hold its first meeting

    Parliament to hold crucial joint meeting today

    Parliament approves Hamze Abdi Barre as Somalia’s 21st Prime Minister

    Parliament approves Hamze Abdi Barre as Somalia’s 21st Prime Minister

    Congratulations pour in for the newly elected Somali Prime Minister

    Somali parliament to hold vote of confidence on Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre

    Upper House approves 5-member constitutional Commission

    Upper House approves 5-member constitutional Commission

  • Education
    Bringing everyone to the table: Supporting distributed leadership in Somalia’s education sector

    Bringing everyone to the table: Supporting distributed leadership in Somalia’s education sector

    President Hassan Sheikh leads nation in marking Somali Teachers’ Day

    President Hassan Sheikh leads nation in marking Somali Teachers’ Day

    UK funded Chevening Scholarships now open for application

    UK funded Chevening Scholarships now open for application

    PM Roble flags off secondary school leaving exams for thousands of learners

    PM Roble flags off secondary school leaving exams for thousands of learners

    USAID announces $6.8M initiative to increase access to education in Somalia

    USAID announces $6.8M initiative to increase access to education in Somalia

  • Humanitarian Affairs
    Study: Somali people ‘highly traumatized’ after years of conflict

    Study: Somali people ‘highly traumatized’ after years of conflict

    World Food Program chief: Somali famine slowed, not avoided

    World Food Program chief: Somali famine slowed, not avoided

    World Bank provides 50 mln USD grant for drought response in Somalia

    World Bank provides 50 mln USD grant for drought response in Somalia

    Somalia’s food crisis is claiming young lives

    8th AFRIMA in Senegal partners UNFPA, seeks support to end humanitarian crisis in Somalia

    The 2011 famine signs on sight, UN in Somalia warns as it calls for scaled up response

    Aid agencies, UN clash over ‘famine threshold’ as hunger ravages Somalis

  • Diaspora Voices
    Saudi government donates food aid to thousands of families in Somalia

    Saudi government donates food aid to Somalia

    Mogadishu Port Remains Closed Over Tariff Dispute

    Former Somali lawmaker involved in Mogadishu twin explosions

    World expresses solidarity with Somalia after attack

    Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

    Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

    NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

    NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

  • Business
    Somalia to issue first new banknotes in more than three decades

    Somalia to issue first new banknotes in more than three decades

    Somalia ‘to lift’ Kenyan khat ban as ties improve

    Boost for Kenyan traders as miraa exports to Somalia more than double

    Ethiopia and Somalia sign air services agreement

    Ethiopia and Somalia sign air services agreement

    DP World inks deal with Puntland to upgrade Bosaso Port

    DP World inks deal with Puntland to upgrade Bosaso Port

    Somali government eyes $100m annually from telcos with new law

    Somalis to call across networks by January

  • Science & Tech
    Somalia meteorite: Joy as scientists find two new minerals

    Somalia meteorite: Joy as scientists find two new minerals

    Uganda successfully launches its first satellite into space

    Uganda successfully launches its first satellite into space

    Banaadir Hospital gets major upgrade from Chinese government

    Banaadir Hospital gets major upgrade from Chinese government

    Opinion: Could Somalia become the next Texas?

    PSA CONUNDRUM: Roble, Farmaajo were ‘supportive’, Coastline Exploration ‘perplexed’

    Controvery in Somalia as gov’t COVID-19 Twitter handle used to spread political messages

    Controvery in Somalia as gov’t COVID-19 Twitter handle used to spread political messages

  • Opinion
    Somalia- Analysis: Could this be Somalia’s best chance to defeat Al-Shabab

    Somalia- Analysis: Could this be Somalia’s best chance to defeat Al-Shabab

    Somalia set to attend this year’s Africa Oil Week

    The exploration of oil and gas in Somalia

    Climate change; a shared global concern

    Climate change; a shared global concern

    Somalia and the human rights debate in Central Asia

    Somalia and the human rights debate in Central Asia

    African nations demand climate change financing ahead of COP27

    African nations can’t ‘adapt’ to the climate crisis. Here’s what rich countries must do

    A deadly decade for Somalia’s journalists

    A deadly decade for Somalia’s journalists

    President Mohamud: There is no turning back. We must finish off Al-Shabaab

    President Mohamud: There is no turning back. We must finish off Al-Shabaab

    Left behind: Deeply broken Somalia

    Left behind: Deeply broken Somalia

    OP-ED: Terrorism has no nationality, ethnicity nor religion. FETO threatens humanity as a whole”

    OP-ED: Terrorism has no nationality, ethnicity nor religion. FETO threatens humanity as a whole”

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    • Home
    • News
      • National
      • International
    • Security
      Traffic police officer shot dead in Bakarah market, Mogadishu

      Bombings hit areas near Mogadishu city HQs

      Heavy fighting underway between local forces, Al-Shabaab in Hiran region

      Heavy fighting underway between local forces, Al-Shabaab in Hiran region

      Joint security operation kills nearly 50 Al-Shabaab fighters in Hawadley  

      Joint security operation kills nearly 50 Al-Shabaab fighters in Hawadley  

      SNA eliminates 21 Al-Shabaab fighters in Hawadley

      Somalia to expand offensive against al-Shabab

      ATMIS congratulates SNA on liberation of strategic towns

      ATMIS congratulates SNA on liberation of strategic towns

    • Parliament
      Somali Parliament expected to decide on the 2022 budget today

      Somali Parliament expected to decide on the 2022 budget today

      Parliamentary Election Committee to hold its first meeting

      Parliament to hold crucial joint meeting today

      Parliament approves Hamze Abdi Barre as Somalia’s 21st Prime Minister

      Parliament approves Hamze Abdi Barre as Somalia’s 21st Prime Minister

      Congratulations pour in for the newly elected Somali Prime Minister

      Somali parliament to hold vote of confidence on Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre

      Upper House approves 5-member constitutional Commission

      Upper House approves 5-member constitutional Commission

    • Education
      Bringing everyone to the table: Supporting distributed leadership in Somalia’s education sector

      Bringing everyone to the table: Supporting distributed leadership in Somalia’s education sector

      President Hassan Sheikh leads nation in marking Somali Teachers’ Day

      President Hassan Sheikh leads nation in marking Somali Teachers’ Day

      UK funded Chevening Scholarships now open for application

      UK funded Chevening Scholarships now open for application

      PM Roble flags off secondary school leaving exams for thousands of learners

      PM Roble flags off secondary school leaving exams for thousands of learners

      USAID announces $6.8M initiative to increase access to education in Somalia

      USAID announces $6.8M initiative to increase access to education in Somalia

    • Humanitarian Affairs
      Study: Somali people ‘highly traumatized’ after years of conflict

      Study: Somali people ‘highly traumatized’ after years of conflict

      World Food Program chief: Somali famine slowed, not avoided

      World Food Program chief: Somali famine slowed, not avoided

      World Bank provides 50 mln USD grant for drought response in Somalia

      World Bank provides 50 mln USD grant for drought response in Somalia

      Somalia’s food crisis is claiming young lives

      8th AFRIMA in Senegal partners UNFPA, seeks support to end humanitarian crisis in Somalia

      The 2011 famine signs on sight, UN in Somalia warns as it calls for scaled up response

      Aid agencies, UN clash over ‘famine threshold’ as hunger ravages Somalis

    • Diaspora Voices
      Saudi government donates food aid to thousands of families in Somalia

      Saudi government donates food aid to Somalia

      Mogadishu Port Remains Closed Over Tariff Dispute

      Former Somali lawmaker involved in Mogadishu twin explosions

      World expresses solidarity with Somalia after attack

      Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

      Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

      NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

      NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

    • Business
      Somalia to issue first new banknotes in more than three decades

      Somalia to issue first new banknotes in more than three decades

      Somalia ‘to lift’ Kenyan khat ban as ties improve

      Boost for Kenyan traders as miraa exports to Somalia more than double

      Ethiopia and Somalia sign air services agreement

      Ethiopia and Somalia sign air services agreement

      DP World inks deal with Puntland to upgrade Bosaso Port

      DP World inks deal with Puntland to upgrade Bosaso Port

      Somali government eyes $100m annually from telcos with new law

      Somalis to call across networks by January

    • Science & Tech
      Somalia meteorite: Joy as scientists find two new minerals

      Somalia meteorite: Joy as scientists find two new minerals

      Uganda successfully launches its first satellite into space

      Uganda successfully launches its first satellite into space

      Banaadir Hospital gets major upgrade from Chinese government

      Banaadir Hospital gets major upgrade from Chinese government

      Opinion: Could Somalia become the next Texas?

      PSA CONUNDRUM: Roble, Farmaajo were ‘supportive’, Coastline Exploration ‘perplexed’

      Controvery in Somalia as gov’t COVID-19 Twitter handle used to spread political messages

      Controvery in Somalia as gov’t COVID-19 Twitter handle used to spread political messages

    • Opinion
      Somalia- Analysis: Could this be Somalia’s best chance to defeat Al-Shabab

      Somalia- Analysis: Could this be Somalia’s best chance to defeat Al-Shabab

      Somalia set to attend this year’s Africa Oil Week

      The exploration of oil and gas in Somalia

      Climate change; a shared global concern

      Climate change; a shared global concern

      Somalia and the human rights debate in Central Asia

      Somalia and the human rights debate in Central Asia

      African nations demand climate change financing ahead of COP27

      African nations can’t ‘adapt’ to the climate crisis. Here’s what rich countries must do

      A deadly decade for Somalia’s journalists

      A deadly decade for Somalia’s journalists

      President Mohamud: There is no turning back. We must finish off Al-Shabaab

      President Mohamud: There is no turning back. We must finish off Al-Shabaab

      Left behind: Deeply broken Somalia

      Left behind: Deeply broken Somalia

      OP-ED: Terrorism has no nationality, ethnicity nor religion. FETO threatens humanity as a whole”

      OP-ED: Terrorism has no nationality, ethnicity nor religion. FETO threatens humanity as a whole”

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      Somalia: Rare access to its US-funded ‘lightning commando brigade

      Wednesday November 23, 2022
      in Featured, featured, international News, National News, Security
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      Somalia: Rare access to its US-funded ‘lightning commando brigade
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      BBC NEWS|BUKURE: It is just after five in the morning, and three pickup trucks – each bristling, like porcupines, with a dozen heavily armed soldiers – are tearing along a winding, sandy track in the dawn-grey wilderness of central Somalia.

      The driver of the middle car, hunched forward over his wheel, changes down a gear to skid round a thorn bush, then flashes a smile and checks his wing-mirror to make sure none of his colleagues, feet dangling over the sides of the vehicle, have fallen off.

      “Our job is to go in first,” says a young lieutenant, sitting in the passenger seat and scanning the countryside ahead for signs of a possible ambush, or for the improvised explosive devices so often used by the militant group, al-Shabab.

      Over the last three months these elite national army troops, members of the American-funded and trained Danab – meaning “lightning” – commando brigade, have played a central role in a broader uprising against al-Shabab which has seen the militants forced out of dozens of towns and villages in the centre of Somalia.

      The unanticipated success of this unexpected offensive has triggered a wave of optimism across the country, even while millions grapple with a devastating drought.

      “This is the most optimistic I’ve felt in years. There is nothing that can stop these operations because we have tasted victory against al-Shabab. We’ve seen that they can be beaten, and the Somali people are finally awake,” said Malik Abdalla, a local MP in the Hiran region where much of the fighting has taken place.

      Furious spite

      After three hours of hard driving, and one blown tyre, the convoy reaches the outskirts of a small town named Bukure, and the soldiers of Danab’s Sixth Battalion slip off their vehicles.

      Danab soldiers are always on the look out for militant ambushes

      They are lean, confident men, at ease with their weapons and used to travelling light. Without a word, they fan out protectively around us – a team of three BBC journalists granted rare access to the platoon and the conflict zone.

      “Word spreads fast. Al-Shabab will already know you’re here. That’s why we had to leave camp so early this morning, to get on the road before they could plant ambushes,” said Asli Halane, a civil-military liaison officer and the only member of the highly secretive platoon authorised to speak to us on the record.

      Three soldiers remain on the vehicles, peering through the sights of the formidable DShK heavy machine guns mounted on the back of each pickup, as local civilians, many of them nomadic pastoralists, slowly emerged from the surrounding countryside.

      “We managed to kill 60 al-Shabab fighters here,” said Sergeant Halane, walking past the burnt remains of several small shops, and recounting the day-long battle for the town in September.

      Several hundred militants eventually withdrew from Bukure, but not before they had set fire to many buildings, and used explosives to destroy the town’s concrete water tower in an act interpreted by locals as furious spite.

      Before they withdrew, militants used fire and explosives to gut Bukure

      A local shopkeeper, Khadra Farah, described how a retreating militant shot at her after burning her store.

      The community was left with no water or food for many days, and “they still don’t have basic needs. Things are really bad here”, says Sgt Halane.

      ‘We slept afraid’

      And yet, the mood in Bukure, and in many other parts of Somalia, is not the familiar, fearful despondency one encounters so often in a country that has failed, so many times over so many years, to rid itself of the al-Qaeda-linked group.

      People suffering from the devastating drought are fed up of al-Shabab taxes

      Instead, in a rare display of public defiance, dozens of civilians agreed to be filmed by us, openly declaring their hatred of al-Shabab, and their belief that something fundamental had changed.

      “Under al-Shabab we slept afraid every night,” said Ali Dahir Warsame, 48, a local community leader.

      “But we understand now that they have nothing to do with Islam. They have been harming innocent people. Now we’re 100% confident that they won’t come back here.”

      Why such confidence?

      Part of the explanation lies in Somalia’s current drought – the worst in four decades – which has pushed many communities to the brink of starvation, and left people feeling they have no option but to rebel against a militant group with a hard-earned reputation for extorting bribes and collecting punitive taxes.

      But another reason is the nature of the uprising itself, which has the fluid, organic feel of a grass-roots revolution, led by local farmers and clans, with the government, the army and special forces often acting in a supporting role.

      “This is a turning point. People are really fed up with al-Shabab. If the government can [take] advantage of this opportunity I think al-Shabab will be dislodged,” said Mohamed Moalimu, a former journalist turned MP who has survived numerous militant attacks and has spent weeks visiting members of the “ma’awiisley” clan militias who have done much of the fighting in Hiran region.

      The Danab Brigade is US-funded and trained – and its numbers are set to rise

      And yet, the question lingers – can a popular uprising overcome the deeply embedded clan divisions that have helped condemn Somalia to three decades of conflict and anarchy?

      Already there are signs that powerful leaders in some parts of the country’s cumbersome federal system are hedging their bets, sceptical about the central government’s commitment and competence, and reluctant to back a rebellion that could yet fizzle out, leaving them more exposed to the militants.

      “The strategy is working,” insisted Hussein Sheikh-Ali, national security adviser to Somalia’s president, predicting that wavering politicians would soon find themselves obliged to support the uprising.

      “Because anti-al-Shabab sentiment is so popular, politicians cannot be seen to be obstructing or challenging the federal government,” said Mr Sheikh-Ali.

      ‘Good guys’

      The combination of drought and conflict has certainly pushed Somalia into uncertain territory and presented the central government with a rare opportunity to challenge the militants’ stranglehold on large chunks of the countryside.

      The commandos say al-Shabab fighters now do not want to take them on

      The Danab battalion is expected to grow from around 1,500 soldiers to more than double that in the coming months, with the US providing more funding, and more military support.

      “The US? They’re the good guys. They helped us with drones [in the battle for Bukure]. I’ve fought more than six battles against al-Shabab, and now, when they see we want to fight, they run,” said one of the Danab platoon’s senior officers, speaking on condition of anonymity.

      But he was more circumspect about the broader uprising against the militants, worried that it could still fracture into a messier conflict “between the clans”.

      And with that, the Danab convoy set off again, at its usual furious pace, first, to drop us at an airstrip four hours away through the bush, and then to turn south, heading towards the Shabelle River and the main road to the capital, Mogadishu, where another battle against al-Shabab was already under way.

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      Goobjoog News English

      GOOBJOOG MEDIA GROUP is an independent private media network in Somalia whose charter is driven by the quest for public service journalism. This is in realization of the overarching principle of fostering peace and economic development through media. With unparalleled access to news sources and locations across the country backed by a team of professional journalists.

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