How Turkey’s Aggression in the Horn of Africa Could Benefit Al-Shabaab
Extremist Organizations Thrive in Environments Defined by State Rivalry, Political Fragmentation, and Security Vacuums
Somaliland
Why Is Saudi Arabia Abandoning Peace?
In the last few months, Riyadh has turned away from US-aligned partners in the Middle East.
Op-eds
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland sends warning to Turkey, Iran, Syria
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has sent shockwaves through the region and chills down the spines of authoritarian leaders
Op-eds
The persistence of Israel’s ‘Periphery Doctrine’
The burgeoning relationship between Somaliland and Israel proves that the Jewish state is not hated and isolated in the region, despite the neighboring cluster of authoritarian states insisting otherwise.
Op-eds
Israeli Foreign Minister Follows up Recognition of Somaliland With Historic Visit
Latest Developments Sa’ar in Somaliland: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to Somaliland on January 6, the first official diplomatic visit since Israel recognized the East African...
Flash Briefs
Airstrikes only first step to stop Islamic terrorists on march through Africa
Thursday’s strikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria signal an intensifying American fight against jihadist expansion across Africa. ISIS maintains a presence across the African continent, but...
Op-eds
UAE ‘likely’ building airstrip on strategic island in Red Sea
Satellite imagery reviewed by the Associated Press shows an airstrip under construction on Zuqar Island, a strategic island in the Red Sea about 55 miles south of the port of Hodeidah, which...
Op-eds
Ignoring Ethiopian Concerns, Egypt Supplies Troops for African Union Mission in Somalia
Egyptian Troops Participate in African Union Force: Egypt is sending troops to Somalia as a part of the new African Union (AU) mission authorized by the United Nations Security...
Flash Briefs
Jihadi history: Kenyan detainee transferred out of Guantanamo shows the extent of Al Qaeda’s jihad in East Africa
The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced yesterday that longtime Guantanamo Bay detainee Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu was transferred to his native Kenya. The Ugandan-born Kenyan national...
Op-eds
How Turkey Outplayed Egypt and the U.S. In The Horn Of Africa
Ankara’s recent geopolitical gains go beyond just Syria.
Op-eds
Turkey Brokers Agreement Between Ethiopia and Somalia, Denting Egypt’s Regional Standing
Turkey Mediates Ethiopia-Somalia Agreement: Turkey announced on December 11 that it mediated what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called an “historic agreement” between Ethiopia...
Flash Briefs
Egypt Delivers Second Weapons Shipment to Somalia This Month
Egypt delivered its second weapons shipment to Somalia in less than a month on September 23, signaling a potential escalation in the Horn of Africa. According to Reuters, the shipment,...
Flash Briefs
Egypt and Ethiopia Tussle at UN Security Council as Nile Dam Tensions Escalate
As tensions escalate between Egypt and Ethiopia over the latest filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie urged UN officials to “take note of Egypt’s repeated threat to use force against Ethiopia” in a letter to the UN Security Council (UNSC) dated September 6 ...
Flash Briefs
Egypt Deploys Troops, Weapons in Somalia, Raising Tensions in the Horn of Africa
Egypt is reportedly sending 10,000 troops to Somalia, in a move that signals a potential major escalation in the Horn of Africa. On August 29, two Egyptian military planes carrying...
Flash Briefs
Islamic State describes intense campaign against Shabaab in northern Somalia
In the latest issue of the Islamic State’s weekly Al-Naba newsletter, the global jihadist organization describes in detail a fierce campaign its so-called Somali Province waged against Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s...
Op-eds
Somalia suffers worst month on record for suicide bombings
In September 2023, Somalia suffered the most suicide bombings (and attempts) in a single month since Shabaab began utilizing the tactic in 2006. At least 14 attempted and successful suicide bombings were...
Op-eds
Analysis: U.S. Military kills key Islamic State leader in Africa
The United States announced yesterday that it conducted a special operations forces (SOF) raid on a hideout of the Islamic State’s branch in Somalia. During the raid, the SOF troops killed Bilal al-Sudani,...
Op-eds
Contested area of northern Somalia witnesses rare suicide bombing
At least five people were killed yesterday in a suicide bombing at a crowded cafe in the village of Milxo in the Sanaag Region, a contested area laid claim to by both Somalia and Somaliland. No group has...
Op-eds
Will Turkey’s Détente with Egypt and the Gulf Extend to the Horn of Africa?
Although the extent to which the climate of détente will affect the Horn is not certain, the relative calm offers a unique opportunity for Washington to claim leadership and prevent the kind of violent rivalry that proved disastrous in Syria and Libya.
Op-eds
7 Shabaab Leaders Added to Rewards for Justice Most Wanted List
The US State department has added seven senior leaders of Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, to the...