Saturday 28, June 2025 {HMC} U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei, on Friday, dropped plans to lift sanctions on Iran and said he would consider bombing Iran again if Tehran is enriching uranium to worrisome levels.

Trump reacted sternly to Khamanei’s first remarks after a 12-day conflict with Israel that ended when the United States launched bombing raids last weekend against Iranian nuclear sites.

Khamanei said Iran “slapped America in the face” by launching an attack against a major U.S. base in Qatar following the U.S. bombing raids. Khamanei also said Iran would never surrender.
Trump said he had spared Khamanei’s life. U.S. officials told Reuters on June 15 that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill the supreme leader.

“His Country was decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life,” Trump said in a social media post.

“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” he said.

Iran said a potential nuclear deal was conditional on the U.S. ending its “disrespectful tone” toward the Supreme Leader.

“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X in the early hours of Saturday.

Trump also said that in recent days he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions on Iran to give it a chance for a speedy recovery. He said he had now abandoned that effort.

“I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” he said.

Trump said at a White House news conference that he did not rule out attacking Iran again, when asked about the possibility of new bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if deemed necessary at some point.

“Sure, without question, absolutely,” he said.

Trump said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency – the U.N. nuclear watchdog – or another respected source to be able to inspect Iran’s nuclear sites after they were bombed last weekend.

Trump has rejected any suggestion that damage to the sites was not as profound as he has said.

The IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that ensuring the resumption of IAEA inspections was his top priority as none had taken place since Israel began bombing on June 13.

However, Iran’s parliament approved moves on Wednesday to suspend such inspections. Araqchi indicated on Friday that Tehran may reject any request by the head of the agency for visits to Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump said Iran still wants to meet about the way forward. The White House had said on Thursday that no meeting between the U.S. and an Iranian delegation has been scheduled thus far.

Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland in Washington and Michelle Nichols at the UN; Additional reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo; Editing by Sandra Maler and Rosalba O’Brien

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Saturday 28, June 2025 {HMC} President William Ruto has made a raft of changes in Kenya’s military leadership, including the Kenya Army and the Kenya Air Force.

In the announcement made on Friday, June 27, by the Ministry of Defence, Ruto promoted Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander Kenya Army.

Ketter replaced Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor.

Before his new appointment as Commander Kenya Army, Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.

In addition, the President appointed Major General Benard Waliaula as the Commander Kenya Air Force. Waliaula replaces Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years.

Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.

Similarly, the Head of State promoted Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commandant Kenya Military Academy.

Before his appointment, Muriungi was the Commandant at the Kenya Military Academy and the Commander Armoured Brigade.

Further, Ruto promoted Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei to the rank of Major General and appointed her Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at National Defence University -Kenya(NDU-K).

Until her promotion and appointment, she was the Director International Peace Support Centre.

Further, on the advice of the Defence Council chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, the President upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of the Kenya Defence Forces Officers in the Army, Air Force and Navy.

In the Kenya Army, Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of the National Defence Security Industries. Also, Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe was promoted to Major General and appointed Director International Peace Support Centre.

Other promotions were Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi, who was promoted to Major General and appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA). He was joined by Brigadier Edward Rugendo, who was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics.

Additionally, Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Army at the National Defence College. Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo was also promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure. The last Kenya Army promotion was Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian, who was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander 6 Brigade.

Further, Colonel Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Director National Air Support Department (NASD). The Kenya Air Force promotions were finalised by Colonel Rodah Mkavita Mwasigwa, who was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Compensation and Welfare at Defence Headquarters.

In the Kenya Navy, Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College. Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori was also promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.

Additionally, Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Head of Production at Kenya Shipyard Limited. Another promotion was Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrida Atieno Omolo, who rose to the rank of Colonel and was appointed Commander Kenya Navy Logistics.

The final promotion was Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume, who became Colonel and was appointed Senior Directing Staff, Navy Joint Warfare Centre.

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Saturday 28, June 2025 {HMC} Somali army forces, in coordination with local fighters, destroyed several al-Shabab hideouts in the Middle Shabelle region as part of an ongoing counterterrorism operation, the Ministry of Defense announced Friday.

The ministry said the operation—code-named “Silent Storm”—is aimed at clearing remaining elements of the al-Qaida-linked group from key areas in southern Somalia.

Ministry spokesperson Sheikh Abubakar Moalim said the forces targeted locations where al-Shabab militants were believed to be regrouping. He confirmed that no casualties were reported among government troops during the latest offensive.
“Our forces successfully dismantled al-Shabab hideouts without sustaining any losses,” Moalim said. “An assessment is underway to determine the extent of damage inflicted on the militants.”

The operation, which began Wednesday, is focused on the Shabelle and Middle Shabelle regions—areas long used by the group as staging grounds for attacks.

According to the Ministry of Defense, military engineers are also conducting large-scale clearance efforts to remove landmines and improvised explosive devices left behind by the militants.

The Somali government has intensified its military campaign against al-Shabab in recent months, seeking to regain full control over rural areas and improve security ahead of planned political reforms and nationwide elections.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 28, June 2025 {HMC} The Commander of the Somali National Army’s Ground Forces, Gen. Sahal Abdullahi Omar, visited frontline positions in Middle Shabelle this week to commend troops for recent battlefield successes against al-Shabab militants.

During his visit, Gen. Sahal inspected operations in areas including Masaajid Ali Gadud, where Somali forces and allied local fighters have made significant advances in recent days.

The general’s visit follows a series of victories in which government troops regained control of territory previously held by the al-Qaida-linked militant group.
Gen. Sahal praised the Somali National Army (SNA) and local forces, urging them to stay focused on their mission to eradicate terrorism from the country.

“You are fulfilling a national duty in defending the Somali people and liberating our land from extremist control,” he told the troops.

He added that the recent gains demonstrate the growing strength and capacity of the Somali forces to free all remaining areas under militant control.

“These victories show the army is capable and determined. With continued effort and unity, peace will return to our country,” he said.

The visit underscores the Somali military’s renewed momentum as it intensifies operations to push al-Shabab out of its remaining strongholds in central and southern Somalia.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 28, June 2025 {HMC}President Ismail Omar Guelleh joined government officials and hundreds of citizens on Thursday to mark the 48th anniversary of Djibouti’s independence from French colonial rule.

The national celebration, held on June 27, honored the country’s 1977 declaration of independence and paid tribute to the heroes who led the struggle for freedom.

Addressing the nation, President Guelleh wished his country continued peace and prosperity, urging citizens to prioritize national security and work closely with law enforcement and the armed forces.
“We should celebrate peacefully on this historic day and remember those who fought for our independence,” Guelleh said.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also extended his congratulations to the people and government of Djibouti. In a message to President Guelleh, he praised Djibouti’s longstanding support for Somalia and reaffirmed the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.

“The relationship between Somalia and Djibouti is grounded in shared culture, language, and history,” Mohamud said, emphasizing the two countries’ common vision of regional unity and cooperation.

Since gaining independence in 1977, Djibouti has maintained strong diplomatic and security ties with Somalia, playing a key role in regional peace efforts and integration.

Somalia commemorates its own path to independence beginning on June 26, 1960, with British Somaliland’s liberation and the unification with Italian Somaliland on July 1 to form the Somali Republic—a step toward the broader vision of Greater Somalia.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday 28, June 2025 {HMC} Dozens of people from the Horn of Africa on death row in Saudi Arabia have been told that their executions could take place “any day”, inmates and their relatives told Middle East Eye.

The men are all from Ethiopia and Somalia and have been convicted of drug trafficking, which carries a death sentence in Saudi Arabia.

Held at the Najiran prison near the border with Yemen, inmates say they were notified several weeks ago that their sentences, typically beheadings, would be carried out soon.

“They have told us to say our goodbyes,” one of the convicted men, who preferred not to be named, told MEE.

“We were told that executions would begin shortly after Eid al-Adha, and now they have started.”

A list of names of the convicted obtained by MEE includes 43 Ethiopians, and 13 Somalis.

According to inmates, at least six were put to death over the past month.

Rise in executions
Amnesty International has documented at least 52 executions for drug-related offenses in the kingdom from January to April.

Keen to soften the country’s conservative image as part of its Vision 2030 economic reform programme and ahead of hosting of the 2034 Fifa World Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has enacted a whirlwind of reforms liberalising some elements of Saudi society.

He has also repeatedly pledged to amend the country’s harsh justice system, which lists adultery, apostasy and “sorcery” as capital offences. Saudi Arabia is among the world’s leading executioners.

However, an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment for drug-related offences enacted in 2021 has been lifted.

Executions have subsequently accelerated. Over 300 people were put to death last year, a record tally for the kingdom. This year, 100 executions were documented by May alone.

One possible reason for the spike, according to experts, is that additional drugs appear to have been added to the list of those meriting capital punishment.

“We’ve monitored death-sentence cases of numerous foreign nationals for years, and drug offences are usually linked to substances like amphetamines or cocaine,” Duaa Dhainy, a researcher with the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, told MEE.

“However, we’ve noticed that from 2024 onwards, many foreigners have been executed for possession of hashish, so they’ve expanded the offences that can lead to execution. All of the Ethiopians and Somali executions we documented this year were linked to hashish possession or smuggling.”

For the family of 27-year-old Khalid Mohammed Ibrahim, the news the executions for drug offences were resuming has plunged them into heartache.

Ibrahim’s older brother insists his sibling is innocent and said it has been a harrowing seven years for the family since he was arrested.

“He tried to enter the country through Yemen,” Muleta told MEE. “A border guard encouraged him to tell his jailers that he was a drug smuggler, saying it would get him sent to court and quickly cleared since there was no evidence. He believed them.”

Fleeing persecution

Muleta said Ibrahim was effectively forced out of his own country.

Hailing from the town of Chelenqo in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, he was among the students who took part in the Oromo protests of 2016, which eventually culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn two years later.

Both brothers were among thousands of youths jailed for taking part in the anti-government uprising, Muleta recalled.

Expelled from school and unable to apply for university, Ibrahim tried to move on with life, getting married and working as a labourer for a few years. But then his wife became pregnant.

“He wanted to afford a better life for his son, but [the government] closed all opportunities for him,” said Muleta. “That is why he left Ethiopia.”

Ibrahim never lived as a free man in Saudi Arabia, as he was detained immediately upon arrival in 2018.

After 11 court appearances, he was sentenced to death in October 2019. He has never had the opportunity to meet his son, who is now eight years old.

Dhainy said cases like Ibrahim’s typically proceed through the courts to the royal court, Saudi Arabia’s highest, where death sentences are signed by the king.

“However, sometimes the documents show that the accused never had a lawyer,” Dhainy said.

“Also, there is no guarantee that the detainee understood the charges, had a translator or was aware of the content of documents, including confessions, that they are sometimes made to sign.”

Muleta said his brother told him that torture and beatings are commonplace at Najiran prison. Emotionally drained, the family’s torment has been worse in recent weeks.

“It has been hell for my parents,” Muleta adds. “They are going crazy. We have tried everything, we tried begging officials for help, but no one has done anything.”

Several inmates on death row at Najiran also told MEE that their families have spent years pleading for assistance from their government, including Ethiopian diplomats based in Saudi Arabia.

The Ethiopian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which has a documented history of covering up the suffering of Ethiopians caught up in the Saudi judicial system, has been criticised for its inaction on the matter.

Middle East Eye has asked Ambassador Muktar Kedir Abdu and the Ethiopian foreign ministry for comment, without response.

Somali pressure

In Somalia, intense media coverage and campaigning by families of death row inmates has led to the Somali government openly appealing to Saudi authorities for leniency, and greater public awareness of the danger.

Hiiraan Online, a Somali news site, has covered the plight of Somalis sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia extensively.

“Our reporting has helped bring national and international attention to the plight of nearly 50 Somalis facing execution in Saudi Arabia – many of them coerced into smuggling under false pretences,” Dalmar Gure, editor-in-chief of Hiiraan Online, told MEE.

“Together with pressure from families, Somali media coverage helped spur diplomatic engagement, including talks on prisoner transfers and appeals for clemency.”

The Najiran prison contingent isn’t the only large group of Africans on death row in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, UN officials raised concerns about the imminent executions of 26 Egyptians held at Tabouk prison in the north on similar drug offences. They condemned the sentences as a “violation of international law”.

Last week, over 30 rights groups, mostly based in the Middle East and Africa, published an open letter calling on the crown prince to commute the death sentences of over a hundred Ethiopians, Egyptians and Somalis.

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