Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

Israeli police detained a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of obstructing an investigation, in a case local media said is tied to the leak of military information during the Gaza war. Police did not name the official, but Israeli outlets reported it was Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu’s chief of staff and Israel’s ambassador-designate to the United Kingdom. Officers searched his home, according to Israeli media, and the aide was “being questioned under caution,” police said. “This morning, a senior…

Bob Weir, the U.S. guitarist and songwriter who co-founded the Grateful Dead and helped redefine American rock through six decades on the road, has died at 78, his family announced. Weir was diagnosed with cancer in July and had beaten the disease but “succumbed to underlying lung issues,” his family said in a statement posted on his personal website. The statement did not specify where or when he died. “For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road,” the family said. “Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique…

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday rejected Israel’s decision to recognize what it called the independent state of North Western State of Somalia, denouncing the move as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability in the Horn of Africa. Meeting in an emergency 22nd extraordinary session at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, foreign ministers said Israel’s recognition undermines Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders. The organization…

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia and fellow members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning the move risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa. Representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji told an extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah that the kingdom “categorically rejects” what he described as a…

Saudi Arabia leads OIC rebuke of Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, backs Somalia’s unity JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia on Saturday led a forceful pushback within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation against Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, urging a unified response that reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at an extraordinary OIC session in Jeddah, said…

Paris summit yields a framework for Ukraine’s security — but not the forces to back it The Paris gathering of the Coalition of the Willing promised “concrete commitments to protect Ukraine.” What emerged was a sharper framework for security guarantees and a clearer alignment between Europe and the United States — without the hard numbers of troops or the operational blueprint that would turn ambition into deterrence. The 35-nation coalition, convened by France and Britain last year to prepare for a post-ceasefire…

Mogadishu opens DARMAD Business Park to ease congestion at Aden Adde International Airport MOGADISHU — Authorities on Saturday inaugurated a new commercial and parking complex inside Aden Adde International Airport, a project designed to curb traffic chaos and modernize services at Somalia’s busiest gateway. The DARMAD Business Park, funded by Amana Bank, introduces organized parking, banking services, business centers and passenger facilities within the airport perimeter. The development was formally opened by Banadir…

Tehran — Iran warned that any U.S. attack would trigger strikes on Israel and American military sites across the region, escalating tensions as nationwide protests and an internet blackout grip the country and regional capitals brace for potential spillover. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told lawmakers that Israel and U.S. bases would be “legitimate targets” if President Donald Trump orders military action, state media reported Sunday. Israel is on high alert for possible U.S. intervention in support of the…

Hassan Sheikh’s planned Las Anod visit would be first by a Somali president since 1969, signaling federal push in north MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Las Anod this week, in what would be his first trip to the northeastern city and a highly symbolic bid to reinforce federal authority in northern Somalia, according to sources in the Northeastern Somalia presidency. If confirmed, the visit would be the first by a Somali head of state to Las Anod since President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke…

U.S., allies launch “large-scale” strikes on Islamic State targets across Syria after Palmyra attack U.S. and allied forces carried out large-scale strikes against the Islamic State group across Syria today, the U.S. military said, describing the operation as a direct response to last month’s attack that killed three Americans in the ancient city of Palmyra. U.S. Central Command said in a statement on X that “the strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria” as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched after a Dec. 13…