Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Somalia

  • Somaliland recognition shock: Somalia, AU and partners push back after Israel’s move

    Somaliland recognition shock: Somalia, AU and partners push back after Israel’s move

    Photo Credit: Reuters
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    In a Reuters report, Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent, a move Somalia condemned as unlawful and destabilising for the Horn of Africa.

    Somalia’s government and regional partners warned the recognition could encourage secessionist bids and inflame an already volatile neighbourhood with competing security interests.

    Diplomatic responses broadened quickly, with multiple states and blocs reiterating support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

    Reuters quoted Somalia’s government calling the move an “unlawful step” and a “deliberate attack,” while AP reported a joint statement rejecting Israel’s recognition “given the serious repercussions… on peace and security.”

    Echotitbits take: The big watch is whether recognition triggers a domino effect or stays isolated. For Africa, the tension is between de facto realities and the AU’s long-standing anti-fragmentation stance.

    Source: Reuters — December 26, 2025 (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-recognises-somaliland-somalias-breakway-region-independent-state-2025-12-26/)

    Reuters December 26, 2025
    https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-recognises-somaliland-somalias-breakway-region-independent-state-2025-12-26/

  • U.S. Africa Command Strike Kills Three al-Shabaab in Somalia

    U.S. Africa Command Strike Kills Three al-Shabaab in Somalia

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AfriCom) conducted two airstrikes in Somalia on Jan. 1, 2021.

    According to a statement by AfriCom, both strikes targeted al-Shabaab compounds in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia. Current assessments indicate the strikes killed three and wounded one al-Shabaab members and destroyed six and damaged one al-Shabaab compound buildings.

    The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. We take significant measures to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict during the course of our operations while we continue to disrupt and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab terrorist network.

    “This action clearly demonstrates our continuing commitment to Somalia and our regional partners,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command. “We retain the means and the will to strike the al-Shabaab terrorist network when necessary to protect the region and ultimately, our own nation.”

    U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional security interests.

    “Al-Shabaab remains a threat to Somalia’s future and U.S. interests, and we will continue to disrupt their efforts to terrorize innocents,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander. “Our strikes help keep these terrorists off balance to help our partners then address deeper problems such as governance and development.”

    U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region and to work with international and African partners to achieve long-term security goals in Somalia for the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

    See video of the mission strike posted at: https://go.usa.gov/xA9ZV

  • US AFRICOM Activates Joint Task Force-Quartz

    US AFRICOM Activates Joint Task Force-Quartz

    U.S. Africa Command commander, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend directed the formation of Joint Task Force- Quartz to oversee Operation Octave Quartz, a mission designated to reposition forces from Somalia.

    “I directed the activation of a joint task force, JTF-Quartz, built around the headquarters of Special Operations Command-Africa, to oversee Operation Octave Quartz, the directed re-positioning of U.S. forces from Somalia to other bases in East Africa,” said Townsend.

    Townsend traveled to East Africa Dec. 14-17 and met with U.S. commanders and forces supporting the mission and operations in East Africa.

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    “JTF-Quartz is commanded by the SOCAF commander, Maj. Gen. Dag Anderson. I have just returned from visiting him at his forward headquarters in East Africa where I met with Dag and his commanders to review their posture and plans. JTF-Quartz is ready to go,” said Townsend.

    Townsend also met with African partners, providing reassurance of sustained commitment to East Africa security.

    “To be clear, the U.S. is not withdrawing or disengaging from East Africa. We remain committed to helping our African partners build a more secure future,” Townsend said. “We also remain capable of striking Al-Shabaab at the time and place of our choosing—they should not test us.”

    The JTF will relocate forces while maintaining pressure on violent extremist organizations in the region and supporting enduring partners.

    “We will execute this mission swiftly, methodically, and with additional forces to protect both our partners and US forces,” said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force – Quartz commander. “Enemies should expect continued pressure and swift retribution if they choose to attack.”

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    U.S. military assets have moved into the region to support the operation, to include the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4).

    The repositioning of forces will be completed in a deliberate, conditions-based manner.

    U.S. Africa Command remains committed to East Africa and Somalia, to include maintaining regional security, training, as well as continuing to pressure Al Qaeda’s franchise al-Shabaab. U.S. Africa Command will ensure a focus on the continuity of operations and support in Somalia and the East African region.