Somali Army Counters Terrorist Attack by Al-Shabaab Militias

Frame grab from video shoot Wednesday, March 12, 2025, showing Somali armed forces on patrol outside where a car bomb exploded Tuesday at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne, kicking off an hourslong militant attack that killed an unknown number of people. (AP)
Frame grab from video shoot Wednesday, March 12, 2025, showing Somali armed forces on patrol outside where a car bomb exploded Tuesday at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne, kicking off an hourslong militant attack that killed an unknown number of people. (AP)
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Somali Army Counters Terrorist Attack by Al-Shabaab Militias

Frame grab from video shoot Wednesday, March 12, 2025, showing Somali armed forces on patrol outside where a car bomb exploded Tuesday at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne, kicking off an hourslong militant attack that killed an unknown number of people. (AP)
Frame grab from video shoot Wednesday, March 12, 2025, showing Somali armed forces on patrol outside where a car bomb exploded Tuesday at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne, kicking off an hourslong militant attack that killed an unknown number of people. (AP)

The Somali National Army, on Saturday, said it countered a terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab militias in Awdheegle District of Lower Shabelle and the Buursha Sheekh area of Middle Shabelle.
A statement released by the Somali military and carried by the country’s news agency, SONNA, said the Army delivered a significant blow to Al-Shabaab militants attempting to attack their positions.
The army countered an attack in Awdheegle District of Lower Shabelle and the Buursha Sheekh area of Middle Shabelle, where the militants suffered substantial losses, the statement said.
In a separate operation last night, the statement said the National Forces raided a gathering of Al-Shabaab militants in the Labada Garas area of Middle Shabelle.
It said the forces successfully eliminated all fighters present at the site.
“The National Forces continue to intensify their offensive against the group, aiming to dismantle its remaining strongholds and to clear the rural areas in the south and center of the country,” the statement said.
The attacks in Awdheegle District and the Buursha Sheekh area came a few days after the Army said it successfully killed five prominent Khawarij leaders, in reference to the Al-Shabaab militants.
The leaders were killed while the Army countered a terrorist attack in El Ali Ahmed district in Middle Shabelle in central Somalia.
The army identified the five members of Al-Shabaab militias, which authorities say are waging an insurgency against the Somali government.
In recent weeks, at least 13 soldiers were killed in attacks by Al-Shabaab militia on three military bases in Somalia, according to the military.
On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, urged Somalis to stand together in support of the government and security forces in their efforts to eradicate terrorism.
“Our country has been invaded by a foreign terrorist ideology that has caused havoc for the past 18 years. Let us stand together and support our government and security forces in their war against terrorism,” he said, according to SONNA.
The President also honored the Somali Armed Forces, who are observing Ramadan while leading the fight to liberate the country from terrorism.

 



Musk Says ‘America Party’ Is Formed in US

Elon Musk is seen with a bruised eye that Musk claimed he received at the hands of his son, X Æ A-12, as he attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 30, 2025. (Reuters)
Elon Musk is seen with a bruised eye that Musk claimed he received at the hands of his son, X Æ A-12, as he attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 30, 2025. (Reuters)
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Musk Says ‘America Party’ Is Formed in US

Elon Musk is seen with a bruised eye that Musk claimed he received at the hands of his son, X Æ A-12, as he attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 30, 2025. (Reuters)
Elon Musk is seen with a bruised eye that Musk claimed he received at the hands of his son, X Æ A-12, as he attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 30, 2025. (Reuters)

A day after asking his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created, Elon Musk said on Saturday that the "America Party is formed."

"By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!" he said in a post on X.

"Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom."

The announcement from Musk comes after President Donald Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which the billionaire chief executive officer of Tesla fiercely opposed.

Musk spent hundreds of millions on Trump's re-election and led the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration aimed at slashing government spending, but the two have since fallen out over disagreements about the bill.

Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Musk's companies receive from the federal government.

Musk said previously that he would start a new political party and spend money to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill.

Republicans have expressed concern that Musk's on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.