Kasmaal  Independent Somali news and analysis website .

MOGADISHU: African Union troops said Sunday they had launched a new offensive against Al-Qaeda-affilated Shabab rebels in southern Somalia, vowing to flush the insurgents out of rural areas. The African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, said “Operation Jubba Corridor” was launched Friday in the Bay and Gedo regions south of the capital Mogadishu along with Somali government troops. […]

  Idd Mubarak to all! As Ramadhan comes to a close, a group of young Kenyans from North Eastern concluded a month-long arduous 1,000 km trek across the region dubbed ‘Walk of Hope’, to inspire confidence and restore hope. The movement by the group of professionals and activists is triggered by the growing insecurity, underdevelopment […]

Obama’s aunt, Mama Hawa Auma Mama Hawa Auma (pictured) wagged a finger and turned in her seat. It wasn’t the best Saturday afternoon for the 73-year-old, tough-talking charcoal seller. The mere mention of President Barack Obama and his July trip to Kenya was causing her agitation because despite being Obama’s paternal aunt, her ‘ancient’ house […]

Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia. UN Photo/Loey Felipe 16 July 2015 – A United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia would be a “high-risk undertaking,” considering the threats posed by Al-Shabaab militants and despite advances made by the African Union Mission in the country […]

At least two senior commanders from the Islamist militant group al-Shabab have been killed in a drone strike in south-west Somalia, residents say. Several loud blasts were heard in the town of Bardere at dawn and the bodies were found later, they said. There has been no official confirmation from the al-Qaeda-linked group, but a […]

Mohammed Ahmed left his wallet at the murder scene A gang member who gunned down a drug rival in a leafy suburb was yesterday convicted of murder. At the High Court in Glasgow, 29-year-old Mohammed Ahmed was found guilty of killing Mohamed Abdi, 25, in Edinburgh two years ago while acting with others. Ahmed, also […]

MOGADISHU, July 13 (Xinhua) — A total of 32 people, including 25 militants were killed Monday in fighting between Africa Union (AU) forces and the Islamist group Al-Shabaab in the southern Somali district of Rage Celle, a local official said. Al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on the district but were repulsed by government troops and […]

MOGADISHU: Gunmen from Somali militant group Al-Shabab Monday attacked a military base in central Somalia, killing at least four soldiers, officials and militants said. Al-Shabab, which wants to topple a Western-backed government in Mogadishu, has in the past stepped up the number of raids during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began in mid-June […]

A bomb explosion has caused part of the walls of Aleppo’s ancient citadel to collapse. Built in the 13th Century, it overlooks Aleppo’s Old City and is part of a UN-listed World Heritage site. Syrian government forces have been using the citadel as a military position. Government and rebel forces have been fighting for control […]

There’s excitement on the streets at the president’s visit, which offers a chance to mend strained relations with the west  Senator Barack Obama holds his step-grandmother Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama on a visit to his ancestral rural village of Kogelo in Kenya in August 2006. Photograph: RaduThe silver-grey walls of the Godown Arts Centre, a […]