Saturday-20-April-2024 {HMC} At least three members of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Units or PMU — also called Popular Mobilization Forces or PMF — were wounded following “five explosions” at a military base south of Baghdad, said Muhannad al-Anazi, member of the Security Committee in Babylon Governorate, in a statement in the early hours of Saturday local time.

A short statement released by the PMU acknowledged there was “an explosion that occurred at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces at the Kalsu military base in the Al-Mashrou district on the highway, north of the Babylon Governorate.”

An investigation team arrived at the scene, and the explosion caused material losses and injuries, the PMU said. “We will provide you with the details once the preliminary investigation is completed,” it added.

Israel has no involvement in the reports of explosions in Iraq on Friday evening, an Israeli official told CNN.

The US Central Command said the US did not carry out strikes in Iraq. The Combined Joint Task Force that leads Operation Inherent Resolve, which is the ongoing multinational mission to defeat ISIS, also said the US-led coalition did not carry out any strikes in Iraq.

Remember: The explosions near the Iraqi capital of Baghdad come one day after strikes against a military base in Isfahan, Iran. A US official told CNN that Israel was responsible for the strikes in Iran.

This post has been updated with comments from an Israeli and US official.

SOURCE CNN

Saturday -20-April-2024 {HMC} President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called a meeting of regional leaders.

Somalia has long been a divided nation.

Government leaders in Mogadishu have struggled for decades to assert authority in many parts of the country.

The power vacuum has left Somalis with little help as they suffer from drought, famine and insecurity.

Now, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called a meeting of regional leaders aiming to confront the challenges.

So what are the main obstacles preventing the country from coming together? And can they be overcome?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Abdi Ismail Samatar – Somali senator for Somaliland

Afyare Elmi – research professor, City University of Mogadishu

Omar Mahmood – senior analyst for Eastern Africa, International Crisis Group

SOURCE

Sabti -20-April-2024 {HMC} Turkey is poised to embark on a significant offshore oil exploration venture in Somalia, planning to commence deep-sea drilling in 2025, as announced by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on Friday. This initiative follows a strategic bilateral agreement to bolster their partnership through energy development.

Building on last month’s offshore oil and natural gas agreement, Turkey and Somalia are now poised to develop Somalia’s abundant oil reserves. The deal includes the exploration, exploitation, development, and production of oil on “Somalia’s onshore and offshore blocks.” Minister Bayraktar outlined a clear timeline, stating, “We will commence seismic work next year, and our aim is to conduct deep-sea drilling by 2025.”

The relationship between the two nations has strengthened significantly, highlighted by a defense pact and increased trade, with bilateral trade volume reaching $250.85 million in 2019. Turkish firms also manage significant infrastructure in Somalia, such as Mogadishu International Airport and Mogadishu Sea Port, showcasing their deepening ties.

The energy and security agreements were signed against the backdrop of Somalia’s dispute with Somaliland and Ethiopia, and they are intended to deter Ethiopia’s efforts to secure access to the sea via the breakaway Somaliland.

In addition to its plans in Somalia, Turkey continues to expand its domestic energy capabilities. “This year, we plan to drill 140 wells in areas including Hakkari and Van,” Bayraktar revealed. The minister hoped these efforts would yield new reserves, bolstering Turkey’s energy independence.

Turkey has been a significant partner of Somalia since 2011 when then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited during a deadly famine. Since then, Turkey has provided Somalia with humanitarian aid and budgetary assistance.

In September 2017, Turkey established a large military facility to train Somali security forces.