Sheegow Ahmed Ali’s death in custody ignites controversy amid denials of foul play.

The sudden death of Somali military officer Sheegow Ahmed Ali, who passed away Monday night at Mogadishu’s Digfeer Hospital after complications from Hepatitis B and liver failure, has reignited complex tensions and suspicions within Somalia’s political and military landscape. While authorities swiftly dismissed claims of foul play, asserting medical transparency, the incident nonetheless highlights deeper systemic vulnerabilities within Somali state institutions.

Sheegow, who was sentenced last year following violent clashes between his forces and government troops, held significant operational roles, including combating the al-Shabaab insurgency in Lower Shabelle. His incarceration alone had already polarized opinion, and his untimely death in custody only amplifies existing distrust towards federal authorities, especially among his Jareerweyne clan community.

Despite firm denials by Minister of Health Dr. Ali Haaji Aden and public acceptance from Sheegow’s family regarding the official medical findings, widespread rumors of potential poisoning illustrate the pervasive distrust between the state and certain clan communities. This undercurrent of suspicion is symptomatic of a broader crisis: a fragile relationship between the Somali government and various clan-based factions.

For the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, handling this sensitive case transparently and effectively is imperative to maintaining stability. Any perception of foul play, regardless of official denials, risks undermining government credibility, particularly at a moment when Mogadishu seeks to bolster domestic legitimacy and strengthen security forces amid persistent al-Shabaab threats.

The Somali authorities must do more than merely deny wrongdoing. Comprehensive transparency, independent verification, and open channels of communication are crucial. The case of Sheegow Ahmed Ali isn’t just about one individual’s tragic demise; it’s a litmus test for the credibility of Somalia’s military justice system and governance institutions.

With the nation’s stability already precarious, this incident underscores the urgent need for reform in military custody practices, improved medical oversight for detainees, and greater governmental accountability. The Somali people will undoubtedly watch closely as this story unfolds, determining whether it represents a turning point toward justice and transparency—or another missed opportunity that deepens divisions.

Rising Al-Shabaab Attacks Challenge Mogadishu’s Security Apparatus, Exposing Critical Weaknesses.

Mortar shells rained down on Mogadishu for the second consecutive day, underscoring Al-Shabaab’s renewed aggression and the Somali government’s glaring security failures. Sunday morning’s attack, targeting the strategic Aden Adde International Airport and heavily fortified Halane compound, highlights a critical vulnerability in Somalia’s fight against terrorism.

Suspected Al-Shabaab militants unleashed six mortar rounds, two of which detonated in the densely populated Kaawa Godey neighborhood, injuring at least two civilians—a woman and a child. This attack followed closely on the heels of Saturday’s devastating shelling in the Warta Nabada and Boondheere districts, injuring six civilians, including personnel from the National Theater.

The brazen strikes, aimed at critical infrastructure like the international airport and the Halane compound—home to the United Nations, foreign embassies, and African Union peacekeepers—are not just symbolic. They are tactical attempts by Al-Shabaab to project power and sow chaos in the heart of Somalia’s capital. Despite years of international aid, training, and military support, the capital remains susceptible to Al-Shabaab’s persistent guerrilla tactics.

The repeated attacks expose deep-seated intelligence and security lapses. Mogadishu’s authorities remain reactive, caught off guard despite clear precedent. This demands a tough reassessment of the security framework. With Al-Shabaab regaining momentum, Mogadishu risks descending back into chronic instability unless the government responds with decisive, proactive measures.

Somalia stands at a crossroads. To truly neutralize the Al-Shabaab threat, Mogadishu must overhaul its security strategies, intensify intelligence operations, and reinforce its defenses. Failure to do so will only embolden militants further, putting countless Somali lives—and regional stability—at risk.

Algeria’s secret backing of militias and extremist groups threatens regional stability as Western powers remain silent.

Uncover how Algeria covertly funds and arms terror groups across Africa, fueling insurgencies and reshaping geopolitical dynamics under diplomatic cover. 

Algeria, long perceived as a diplomatic mediator in North Africa, is unmasked as a key enabler of Africa’s deadliest insurgencies. Mounting intelligence and intercepted arms shipments reveal a calculated Algerian strategy: arming extremist militias and separatists to destabilize rivals and position itself as a regional kingmaker.

At the epicenter of this clandestine operation lies Algeria’s unyielding support for the Polisario Front, the militant separatists fighting Morocco over Western Sahara. Algeria has provided the Polisario with Russian-made MANPADS and Iranian drones—dangerously sophisticated weaponry that threatens to ignite a broader conflict. This isn’t solidarity; it’s proxy warfare designed to keep Morocco embroiled in a perpetual crisis while Algeria watches from a comfortable distance.

But Algeria’s shadow influence reaches far beyond Western Sahara. In the Sahel, a region devastated by jihadist insurgencies, Algerian weapons routinely find their way into the hands of notorious extremist groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and ISIS affiliates. Despite public denials, intelligence sources reveal that Algeria deliberately allows weapons to filter into these insurgencies, thus amplifying chaos and asserting itself as an indispensable regional power broker.

At the heart of this covert war lies Algeria’s Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS)—a secretive military intelligence agency whose agenda prioritizes strategic autonomy through destabilization. Unlike Morocco, which engages diplomatically and economically, Algeria’s military-led leadership covertly fuels insurgencies to achieve geopolitical objectives, playing a double game that allows it to simultaneously condemn and enable terrorism.

Alarmingly, Algeria’s shadow war is bolstered by deep ties to Russia and Iran. As Africa’s largest importer of Russian arms, Algeria stockpiles weaponry that is subsequently funneled to non-state actors. The emergence of advanced Iranian drones in regional conflicts underscores Algeria’s calculated effort to spread instability and reshape power dynamics without direct accountability.

Yet, the international community has been dangerously silent. European powers reliant on Algerian gas, and the U.S., entangled in global geopolitical crises, remain reluctant to confront Algeria directly. However, voices in Washington calling for sanctions under CAATSA are growing louder, indicating cracks in Algeria’s diplomatic armor.

Ignoring Algeria’s secret war risks plunging Africa further into chaos. It’s time the West held Algeria accountable, exposed its double game, and acted decisively to halt its deadly influence before the region spirals irreversibly out of control.

Ethiopia Deploys 2,500 Troops to Crush Al-Shabaab and Stabilize Somalia Under New AU Initiative.

Ethiopia deploys thousands of troops under the African Union’s new peacekeeping force in Somalia, intensifying efforts to eliminate Al-Shabaab and reshape regional power dynamics. 

Ethiopia’s involvement marks a pivotal moment. Once facing resistance from Somalia over a deal with Somaliland, Ethiopia’s role was secured through diplomatic breakthroughs facilitated by Turkey. The new mission’s objective is unambiguous: to bolster Somali security forces and aggressively reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for deadly attacks destabilizing East Africa.

Ethiopia joins forces from Uganda, Djibouti, Kenya, and Egypt—each contributing significant military personnel. Particularly notable is Egypt’s deployment of 1,100 troops, reflecting Cairo’s broader ambitions amid tense disputes with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. These strategic moves underscore how the fight against Al-Shabaab intersects with larger geopolitical rivalries.

Funding and sovereignty remain contentious issues, with Somalia demanding clear agreements like the new Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to safeguard national interests. Still, the mission faces financial uncertainty, relying heavily on international aid from the United States, EU, Turkey, and China.

The real test for Ethiopia and its partners will be effectiveness on the ground. Despite decades of international intervention, Al-Shabaab remains lethal, recently targeting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy. The coalition’s success in dismantling Al-Shabaab’s strongholds will determine if this latest effort brings lasting peace or further regional turmoil.

Ultimately, Ethiopia’s bold troop deployment could turn the tide against terrorism—if regional politics and resource struggles don’t undermine the mission first.

Sonja Nientiet urges swift German government intervention, warning her health is critically deteriorating after seven years in captivity.

In a new video released after seven agonizing years of captivity in Somalia, German nurse Sonja Nientiet has urgently pleaded for the German government to intensify efforts to secure her immediate release. Nientiet, who was abducted in Mogadishu in 2018 while working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), expressed dire concerns about her rapidly deteriorating health.

“My health is deteriorating,” Nientiet says emotionally in the video, posted by an individual named Liibaan Osman. She urgently warns that “every day that passes makes the situation more critical,” emphasizing that her prolonged captivity could soon claim her life.

Nientiet was kidnapped on May 2, 2018, after armed assailants—allegedly with inside help from a disgruntled security guard—stormed the ICRC office in Mogadishu. Despite intensive German intelligence efforts to track down her location and captors, who have demanded millions of dollars in ransom, the nurse remains captive and vulnerable.

The release of this disturbing footage has intensified pressure on the German government to secure Nientiet’s freedom. Yet, authorities have publicly maintained their longstanding policy of silence on hostage negotiations, declining direct comment.

Before her abduction, Nientiet had provided humanitarian assistance in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting her commitment to aid in conflict zones. The ICRC expressed renewed urgency following the video, stating deep concern for her safety and health.

With her desperate plea now public, the stakes for Germany have dramatically increased, shifting the crisis into an urgent test of diplomatic resolve—one where each passing day could tragically mark the difference between life and death.

Late Monday night, U.S. airpower once again entered the skies over Somalia’s rugged north. This time, it struck deep into the Miiraale Valley within the Al Miskaad mountain range, targeting entrenched ISIS militants in one of the most formidable insurgent hideouts in the Horn of Africa.

The strike, confirmed by Puntland security officials and U.S. defense sources, is the latest in a series of joint operations aimed at crippling the Islamic State’s growing footprint in the region. But observers warn: while drones may kill fighters, airstrikes alone won’t dislodge ideology or infrastructure.

Why Al Miskaad Matters

The Al Miskaad mountains — isolated, harsh, and largely ungoverned — offer ISIS militants a natural fortress. Since splintering from Al-Shabaab, ISIS has carved out strongholds in Somalia’s northeast, recruiting local clans and importing foreign fighters who seek safe haven from pressure elsewhere.

Launched jointly by Puntland security forces and supported by international partners, including the United States, Operation “Lightning” has reportedly killed dozens of ISIS fighters over the past few months. The most recent U.S. strike, officials claim, targeted key logistics sites in Miiraale Valley.

Puntland’s government says it is making gains — but ISIS’s ability to launch attacks, including December’s deadly assault on security forces, suggests otherwise. Fighters, including foreign jihadists, continue to infiltrate the region, bringing cash, ideology, and combat experience.

What Comes Next?

Puntland forces say they remain committed to rooting out ISIS from the region. But the rugged terrain, lack of sustained local governance, and the difficulty of intelligence-gathering in such a hostile environment mean the conflict is far from over.

For now, the U.S. strike may have decimated a camp or killed key operatives. But the deeper question remains: can Puntland and its allies keep ISIS from regrouping, or will the Al Miskaad mountains continue to echo with gunfire?

Explosive testimony emerged from the Puntland Armed Forces Court on Monday, as one of 10 defendants on trial for alleged ties to terror groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS claimed that Buuhoodle town is a known recruitment and training center for Al-Shabaab.

The unnamed defendant, who told the court he defected from Al-Shabaab, stated that residents of Buuhoodle were trained in Jilib, the group’s longtime headquarters in southern Somalia. He further claimed he had been instructed to establish a training camp in Buuhoodle but refused, saying, “That is what made me turn away from Al-Shabaab.”

“Most of the people living in Buuhoodle are Al-Shabaab. Many of those who trained with me have already been arrested,” the man told the court.

According to the court proceedings, the man had initially fled to Hargeisa but claimed he was harassed, leading him to travel to Jilib for training. After defecting, he surrendered to Ethiopia’s Liyuu Police, who reportedly told him they couldn’t help and advised him to seek refuge in Puntland instead. He insisted he has committed no crimes, but said he feared for his life after rejecting Al-Shabaab’s ideology.

The court in Bosaso is expected to issue verdicts soon against the 10 men on trial, which include two foreign nationals.

Defendants:

1. Nuur Mohamed Macalin, 30
2. Mutahar Xamud Qayib, 24 (foreigner)
3. Salaad Caseyr Muse, 62
4. Mushir Mohamed Said, 38 (foreigner)
5. Ibrahim Yuuya Ali, 35
6. Abdilaahi Ali Ayuu, 25
7. Abdilaahi Ahmed Yusuf, 25
8. Mohamed Macalin Adan, 25
9. Hasan Yusuf Macalin Isaaq, 27
10. Amxmed Mohamed Abdi, 40

Background:
Al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, has long used Jilib as its main stronghold and training base. The group has been responsible for hundreds of deadly attacks across Somalia, Puntland, and even neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia. The allegation that Buuhoodle, located near the Somaliland-Ethiopia border, is becoming a training hub raises major regional security concerns.

This case may further strain inter-regional relations as Puntland courts make bold assertions implicating residents of Somaliland territory in militant activity. The outcome of the trial — and any potential reaction from local communities or political entities — could have significant national security implications.

Stay with WARYATV for exclusive coverage.

Turkey escalates its military support for Somalia with advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, aiming to turn the tide against Al-Shabaab.

Turkey has stepped up its military aid to Somalia by deploying advanced Bayraktar Akinci drones, significantly enhancing Somalia’s capabilities to combat the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab. This strategic move not only amplifies the Somali National Army’s (SNA) operational effectiveness with high-endurance, precision-targeting technology but also marks a pivotal shift in the regional power dynamics.

The introduction of the Akinci drones, equipped with superior surveillance systems and an impressive payload capacity, promises a new era in precision airstrikes for Somalia. These drones can carry a diverse arsenal, from SOM cruise missiles to MK-82 bombs, enabling detailed and discrete operations against militant hideouts without significant collateral damage.

This deployment underlines Turkey’s robust commitment to Somalia’s security architecture, extending beyond mere military hardware to encompass training and infrastructural support. By enhancing the SNA’s tactical capabilities, Turkey is not just countering the immediate threats but also contributing to a long-term stability strategy in the Horn of Africa.

Analysts view this development as a game-changer that could deter Al-Shabaab’s operations and reduce their territorial control, potentially leading to a more secure and stable Somalia.