Thursday 9,Jan,2025 {HMC} Somali government troops, working alongside local militias, have seized key territories in the Hiiraan region from Al-Shabaab militants. The operation marks a decisive victory in the nationwide campaign to dismantle the extremist group’s strongholds.

The liberated areas include Beera Yabaal, Jibibow, Biya Madoobe, and Arooso, all located along the Shabelle River. These territories, critical to Al-Shabaab’s covert operations, lie between the districts of Buulaburte and Halgan, where the group has long maintained a presence.

“This was a well-planned mission that severely weakened the militants’ capacity to operate,” said a senior military officer involved in the operation. Officials also noted that Al-Shabaab fighters had used boats to cross the Shabelle River from western Hiiraan, an area where the group remains entrenched.

Hiiraan holds a notable place in Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab. It was in this region that local communities, tired of violence and extortion, initiated a grassroots uprising against the militants. The latest operations not only reinforce those early efforts but also highlight the growing partnership between Somali forces and local fighters.

“The cooperation is vital,” said another official. “It shows the strength of our communities when united against a common enemy.”

The operation in Hiiraan is part of a broader push to liberate areas still under Al-Shabaab control. Across Somalia, security forces are preparing for coordinated offensives to eliminate the group’s remaining strongholds.

Key leaders such as Somali National Army Commander Odowaa Yusuf Raage and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe spearhead efforts in Hiiraan. Their focus now shifts to western parts of the region, where Al-Shabaab still wields significant influence.

Thursday 9,Jan,2025 {HMC} Somalia’s passport has climbed to 102nd place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 35 destinations worldwide.

Somalia’s passport ranking has seen minimal changes over the past decade. In 2015, it was ranked 108th. While the current ranking represents progress, it pales in comparison to countries like the United Arab Emirates, which has surged 32 places over the same period, now holding 10th place with visa-free access to 185 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index, a globally recognized ranking system, evaluates the travel privileges of 199 passports based on their access to 227 destinations without requiring a visa. Somalia’s position illustrates the ongoing limitations of its travel freedom, particularly compared to top-ranked Singapore, whose passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 195 destinations.

The 2025 report sheds light on global inequality in mobility, with African nations disproportionately affected by visa restrictions. Somalia’s passport ranking aligns with broader trends across the continent, where visa rejection rates remain high. Research shows that African applicants for Schengen visas are twice as likely to face rejection compared to applicants from other regions.

Professor Mehari Taddele Maru of the Migration Policy Centre attributes the disparity to systemic issues. “High rejection rates for African applicants reflect a combination of weak economies and discriminatory policies that reinforce global mobility inequality,” he said.