Monday March 3, 2025 {HMC}  More than 20 people from Todonyang in Turkana County remain missing one week after a brutal attack on fisherfolk along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, eight people have so far been rescued from the troubled waters and reunited with their families, while expert divers on specialized boats continue a search and recovery mission.

One week after the deadly attack in Todonyang, Turkana North, the Kenya Red Cross has intensified its efforts in Lake Turkana, rescuing eight people who were reportedly hiding in the reeds within the lake out of fear following the attack.

Venant Ndighila, the head of disaster management operations at the Kenya Red Cross, confirmed that more than 20 people remain missing, with families anxiously awaiting updates from the expert divers deployed from a multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Maritime Authority, and the Kenya Coast Guard.

The Kenya Red Cross further revealed that it has been collaborating with the Ethiopian Red Cross in the ongoing operation while calling for increased humanitarian intervention.

The community around Todonyang has yet to resume their fishing activities due to the mounting tension in the area.

This update comes three days after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that two bodies had been recovered following the attack.

During his visit to the area, the CS hinted at plans for long-term interventions to address the recurring clashes between the Turkana and Dassanech communities, including the proper documentation of residents living in the border town.

“Ninataka niwahakikishie kwamba ni mambo tunatilia maanani kwa sababu hii iko kwa wizara yangu. Nitahakikisha kwamba tumeanza mipango ya kufungua hapa kituo cha mpaka tujue nani ameingia Kenya na nani ametoka. Hilo ndilo jambo nitahakikisha nimezingatia,” said Murkomen.

The multi-agency search and recovery operation remains ongoing. Reports indicate that the attack in Todonyang was a retaliatory act following the killing of three Dassanech fishermen in a dispute over fishing waters along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

The Kenya Red Cross has engaged with the Ethiopian Red Cross to complement community engagement.

The government has supported 100 households with food assistance; however, there is a need for more support.

Monday March 3, 2025 {HMC}  Hirshabelle State Vice President Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabageed has called on the Ma’awisley militia, primarily drawn from the Hawadle clan, to intensify their offensive against Al-Shabaab and liberate the remaining areas under the group’s control in the Hiiraan region.

Speaking on Sunday in Halfooley, a rural area straddling the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, Dabageed asserted that the ongoing war against Al-Shabaab should not involve negotiations, contrasting it with conflicts between neighboring countries or clans, which often seek resolution through dialogue.

“Every war ends with dialogue, but this one with Al-Shabaab ends with gunfire. The men who denied you access to water will not allow you to dig wells in your own land. We should focus solely on fighting Al-Shabaab,” Dabageed stated.

He stressed the importance of unity among Federal and local forces, urging them to follow the directives of their commanders. He warned that internal disagreements could lead to divisions and setbacks in the war effort.

“This enemy has forced our neighboring communities to come together in defense of their lands. I am confident that if our people unite, we will achieve victory. Government forces and local militias must act as one—attack the enemy, avoid internal conflicts, and follow orders. That is the path to success,” he added.

Somali government forces, with support from international partners, conducted airstrikes in the Biyo Cadde area of Middle Shabelle, killing at least 44 Al-Shabaab fighters, including senior commanders, the Ministry of Information confirmed Sunday.

The overnight strikes targeted militants retreating after suffering heavy losses in ground operations led by government-aligned local militia forces. Security officials also reported the destruction of three armed vehicles used by the insurgents.

Monday March 3, 2025 {HMC} Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre chaired a high-level security meeting on Sunday, focusing on enhancing security measures in Mogadishu and surrounding areas to counter potential threats during the holy month of Ramadan.

During the session, security agencies provided updates on efforts to maintain stability in the capital and neighboring regions. Officials discussed strategies to enhance coordination between law enforcement and the public, aiming to ensure the safety of residents amid heightened security risks.

Prime Minister Barre praised security forces for their ongoing efforts to safeguard the city and instructed them, alongside the Banadir regional administration, to intensify operations. He emphasized that militant groups were in decline but urged continued vigilance to prevent disruptions to peace and stability.

Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group, has escalated attacks on government forces in the Middle Shabelle region since the start of Ramadan. The group launched assaults on Bal’ad, a strategic town near Mogadishu, as well as Biya Adde, both located in Middle Shabelle.

In response, Somali government forces, with support from international partners, conducted airstrikes in the Biyo Cadde area of Middle Shabelle, killing at least 44 Al-Shabaab fighters, including senior commanders, the Ministry of Information confirmed Sunday. The overnight strikes targeted militants retreating after suffering heavy losses in ground operations led by government-aligned local militia forces. Security officials also reported the destruction of three armed vehicles used by the insurgents.

The Somali government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens, particularly during Ramadan, as security forces continue efforts to neutralize extremist threats.

Source Hiiraan online