Thursday 13, Nov 2025 {HMC}– Kenya said Wednesday that more than 200 of its nationals are fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, warning that recruitment networks remain active and continue to target Kenyans for enlistment.

“Reports suggest that over two hundred Kenyans may have joined the Russian military, with some being former members of Kenya’s disciplined services,” Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said in a statement published on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

Ukraine said last week that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, with some recruited through deception.

Calling the situation extremely worrying, Mudavadi urged citizens to exercise caution toward overseas job offers that appear unrealistically attractive.

Last week, Kenyan President William Ruto, in a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, requested the release of Kenyans detained in the conflict zone.

In a statement issued by South Africa’s Presidency on Nov. 6, it was announced that efforts were underway through diplomatic channels to repatriate 17 South Africans who had been persuaded to become mercenaries with promises of high salaries and were stranded on the battlefield in Ukraine’s Donbas region.

SOURCE HIIRAAN ONLINE

Thursday 13, Nov 2025 {HMC}–  Turkey on Wednesday said 20 of its soldiers were killed when a military transport plane crashed in Georgia, with all but one of the bodies recovered, marking the NATO member’s deadliest military incident since 2020.

The C-130 cargo aircraft left Azerbaijan for Turkey and crashed in Georgia on Tuesday, leaving chunks of twisted metal strewn across a grassy knoll.

Ankara has not provided a reason for the crash, but said Turkish and Georgian authorities had started investigations at the site.

In a live speech, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said: “Our plane’s black box has been found, and inspections have begun. We have recovered the remains of 19 of our martyrs. Our search for the remains of the last martyr continues.”

WIDELY USED TACTICAL AIRCRAFT

Footage from the site near the border with Azerbaijan showed ambulances, firetrucks and army vehicles in the area around the burned fuselage, with search-and-rescue teams scanning the grounds.

Ankara said it was closely coordinating with Azerbaijan and Georgia on the probe.

U.S. defence firm Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab, which makes the C-130 Hercules, said it was committed to helping the investigation.

The C-130 Hercules, which is used widely by air forces around the world, is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft capable of operating from unprepared runways.

Its versatile airframe allows for cargo, troop and equipment transport, airborne assault and reconnaissance missions, making it a mainstay tactical airlifter for many militaries.

INITIAL EVIDENCE SUGGESTS ACCIDENT

Unverified social media videos on Tuesday showed the plane breaking apart in the air and then corkscrewing toward the earth in a blaze.

Some analysts have said footage and images indicate the plane broke apart mid-flight, adding that Turkey’s fleet of C-130s is old and in need of renewal, despite the aircraft’s reliability.

“The footage appears to show the tail section separating in-flight and fuel streaming from the wingtip valves, suggesting the crew may have been dumping fuel for an emergency landing,” said Jarrod Phillips, a former U.S. Air Force C-130 specialist.

FlightRadar24 and two Turkish defence analysts said the plane that crashed was 57 years old and had entered the Turkish Air Force in 2010.

Last month, the Turkish Defence Ministry unveiled an agreement with Britain to procure 12 C-130J aircraft. The planes will undergo maintenance and modernisation in Britain and later begin their service for Turkey, it said.

In an accident in 2017, a U.S. KC-130T Hercules plane crashed in Mississippi, killing all 16 people on board. Witness accounts at the time said the aircraft came down while on fire in a flat spin. The incident report said the cause was improper repairs on a corroded propeller blade, leading to a failure.

Tuesday’s crash was Turkey’s deadliest military incident since February 2020, when Russian-backed Syrian forces killed 33 Turkish troops in Idlib, northwest Syria, where Turkey was supporting rebels looking to oust the Syrian government.

Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Jonathan Spicer and Thomas Derpinghaus

SOURCE HIIRAAN ONLINE

Thursday 13, Nov 2025 {HMC}– Somaliland government officials met with representatives of the international community in Hargeisa on Wednesday to convey their position against the federal government’s E-visa implementation and the measures they are taking in response.

Speaking to the media, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdirahman Dahir Aden said that the actions taken by the Somali government regarding airspace control are intended to “destroy Somaliland.”

“We have told the international community the main reasons why the government in Mogadishu is taking these measures — that Somaliland’s democracy and peace are seen as a threat to them,” the Minister said.

He added that Somaliland has informed the international community that it will take all possible steps to prevent the implementation of the Somali government’s immigration system, noting that international representatives will convey Somaliland’s position to their respective governments.

Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi described the current situation as “a direct war between Somaliland and Mogadishu,” urging unity and solidarity among Somalilanders.

“Somaliland was won through blood and sacrifice, and we are ready again if necessary. Somalilanders are not people who will give up their rights over an E-visa system,” he said.

Minister of Aviation and Airports Development Fu’aad Ahmed Nuux stated that approximately 90 aircraft use Somaliland’s airspace daily and that his ministry had communicated directly with each operator.

“About 40% have agreed to follow Somaliland’s regulations, while those who refused were told to avoid our airspace — and most of them have complied,” he said. “We have already taken two steps, and three more are ready. We will proceed carefully and in stages. The airspace issue is sensitive and demands national unity.”

Somaliland recently issued new directives in response to Somalia’s travel restrictions, including an order that no aircraft may pass through its airspace without prior authorization from Somaliland authorities.

SOURCE HIIRAAN ONLINE

Thursday 13, Nov 2025 {HMC} Somali National Electoral Commission announced on Wednesday that the distribution of voting cards to residents of the Banadir region will officially begin in Mogadishu next week.

The Commission’s Chairperson, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, said that a special message will be sent to all registered voters, instructing them to collect their cards from the centers where they initially registered.

“A message will be sent to everyone, and they are requested to go to the place where they registered to collect their card to vote,” said Abdikarin, adding that the initial phase will begin in the coastal districts of Xamar Weyne, Shingani, Boondheere, Xamar Jajab, Waaberi, Shibis, and Abdiaziz.

The Commission stated that a total of 42 distribution centers have been designated across these districts to facilitate easy access for the public.

According to the Commission’s report, more than 900,000 people have already registered, reflecting strong public readiness for the upcoming district-level elections planned by the federal government.

The Federal Government of Somalia has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing district-level elections as part of its broader effort to advance democracy and promote transparency in the country’s electoral process.

SOURCE HIIRAAN ONLINE

Thursday 13, Nov 2025 {HMC}  In a major development for its maritime and naval capabilities, Somalia has officially launched a strategic plan to establish and develop the Somali Oceano-Hydrographic Office (SOHO). This national initiative was unveiled by the Commander of the Somali Navy and Coastal Defense, Commodore Admiral Abdiwahab Abdullahi, in collaboration with experts from the prestigious Italian Hydrographic Institute (IIM).

The SOHO is set to become the nation’s new, centralized authority for all marine and ocean data. Its establishment marks a critical step forward in Somalia’s ability to govern and protect its extensive territorial waters.

The SOHO will serve as the primary national institution for a wide array of critical functions. It is being designed as the main repository for all oceanographic data in Somalia, responsible for producing and updating essential navigational charts and maps to guide maritime traffic. Furthermore, the office will be mandated with ensuring the safety of all vessels by providing accurate and timely information, collecting vital data on marine weather patterns and Somalia’s tides, and providing the foundational data to support the security of the nation’s coastline. This office will play a direct and indispensable role in the comprehensive protection of Somalia’s coasts and the preservation of its vast marine resources.

The launch of this national plan is founded on a strong technical cooperation between Somalia and its Italian partners. The project is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring long-term success through investment in both people and technology.

The plan includes provisions for high-level, specialized training for Somali personnel, who will manage and operate the new office. This will be complemented by the acquisition of modern, state-of-the-art equipment necessary for sophisticated data collection and analysis. This strategic partnership is a clear move to bolster Somalia’s maritime self-sufficiency, aiming to significantly strengthen its naval capacity, enhance maritime safety, secure its coasts, and create a regulated environment for the sustainable exploitation of its rich marine resources

Source sonna