Monday 23 Feb 2026 {HMC} The Somali information minister said on Sunday that 17 al Shabaab “commanders” were “neutralized” over the past six months.

Daud Aweis reaffirmed the government’s commitment to counterterrorism in a statement posted on X.

The minister said al-Shabaab terrorists who renounce violence and join rehabilitation programs would be granted amnesty.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group has been responsible for several mass killings in Somalia and neighbouring nations over the past 16 years, targeting security forces and civilians.

Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and other international partners, has stepped up operations against al Shabaab.

The African Union’s mission mandate was renewed by the UN Security Council in December for another year, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorization until December 31.

SOURCE:AA

Sudan 22 Feb 2026 {HMC}  Arab countries on Saturday strongly condemned as “absurd and provocative,” unacceptable, and contrary to international law the remarks made by US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee, in which he openly accepted Israel’s control over the entire Middle East, including the occupied West Bank.

Huckabee argued that Israel has a biblical right to the land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers, saying on a podcast released Friday: “It would be fine if they (Israel) took it all.”

Huckabee made the remarks in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, during which he defended Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and voiced support for the idea of “divine providence” giving control of the region to Israel.

After Huckabee claimed Israel had a divine right to vast portions of the Middle East, Carlson asked him: “What land are you talking about?” Interpretations of the biblical phrase “river of Egypt” vary, with some scholars identifying it as a riverbed in the Sinai Peninsula and others as the Nile.

“It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee replied, referring to Israel’s biblical right to the territory stretching from the Nile River to the Euphrates.

In a statement, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry called the remarks “absurd and provocative,” saying they “constitute a violation of diplomatic norms, an infringement on the sovereignty of states in the region, and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter.”

The ministry added that the comments “contradict the publicly declared position of US President Donald Trump rejecting annexation of the occupied West Bank.”

The ministry called for “the concerted efforts of all parties to consolidate stability in Gaza and to implement the US president’s plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, instead of issuing absurd, escalatory, irresponsible statements that carry no legal value or effect.”

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned the statements, describing them as a “flagrant departure” from the principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Cairo expressed surprise at the remarks, saying they contradict the vision put forward by US President Trump and the related 20-point framework aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip, as well as the outcomes of a Board of Peace conference held in Washington on Feb. 19.

Egypt reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land or any other Arab territories, stressing its categorical rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank, separate it from the Gaza Strip, or expand settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also condemned “in the strongest terms” and fully rejected Huckabee’s “reckless remarks,” which violate international law, the UN Charter, and diplomatic norms, calling them a dangerous precedent when issued by a US official and dismissive of the region’s long-standing relations with the US.

A ministry statement warned that such extremist comments “threaten international peace and security” by antagonizing countries and peoples in the region and undermining the foundations of the international order.

Saudi Arabia called on the US State Department to clarify its position on a rejected proposal and reiterated its firm stance in rejecting any infringement on states’ sovereignty, borders, and territorial integrity.

The statement stressed that the only path to a just and comprehensive peace lies in ending the occupation based on a two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also rejected the US ambassador’s remarks, saying in a statement that they represent a clear violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, including Resolution 2803, and undermine states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It said the comments directly contradict President Trump’s stated vision and the related 20-point peace framework, warning that legitimizing control over others’ territory would inflame tensions and weaken efforts to restore stability.

Kuwait reaffirmed that Israel holds no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or any other Arab land and rejected attempts to annex the West Bank, separate it from Gaza, or continue settlement expansion.

It reiterated its support for the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the remarks constitute a serious overreach that contradicts the principles of international law and the UN Charter and infringes on the sovereignty, independence, and territorial unity of states.

Baghdad stressed its firm position in support of state sovereignty and its rejection of any policies based on domination or the imposition of a fait accompli, calling for respect for international law to strengthen regional security and peace.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the remarks, describing them as an illegitimate acceptance of imposing control over Arab lands, including occupied Palestinian territory.

Muscat said the comments were contrary to international law and the UN Charter, warning that the rhetoric undermines prospects for peace and threatens regional security and stability.

The ministry reiterated Oman’s firm support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and for ending the occupation of all Arab territories.

Huckabee, named US ambassador to Israel in April 2025, is an evangelical Christian who has previously spoken of expansionist claims based on what he described as a “divine right” for Israel in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told news channel i24 last August that he feels “very attached” to the vision of a Greater Israel. He said he considers himself “on a historic and spiritual mission,” including “generations of Jews that dreamt of coming here and generations of Jews who will come after us.”

Greater Israel is a term used in Israeli politics to refer to the expansion of Israel’s territory to include the West Bank, Gaza, and Syria’s Golan Heights, with some interpretations also including Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and parts of Jordan.

Laith Al-jnaidi and Mohammad Sio

Sudan 22 Feb 2026 {HMC} Police in Libya have recovered the bodies of five asylum seekers that washed ashore near the capital, Tripoli, as authorities in Greece announced the deaths of three others in a separate incident off the coast of Crete.

The bodies in Libya were found on Saturday by residents of the coastal town of Qasr al-Akhyar, according to a police officer.

Hassan al-Ghawil, head of investigations ⁠at the Qasr al-Akhyar police station, told the Reuters news agency that the bodies were all of “dark-skinned people”. Two of them were women.
He said people in the area had reported seeing a child’s body wash ashore before the waves returned it to sea.

“We reported to the Red Crescent to ⁠recover the bodies,” said Ghawil. “The bodies we found are still intact, and we think there are more bodies ⁠to wash ashore.”

The tragedy came as Greek authorities were responding to a separate incident in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Athens News Agency reported on Saturday that authorities had recovered three bodies and rescued at least 20 people after a wooden boat carrying migrants and asylum seekers capsized off the coast of Crete.

Most of the survivors were Egyptians and Sudanese people, the agency reported. They also included four minors.

According to the Greek public broadcaster ERT, the wooden boat capsized when passengers were trying to climb up the ladders during a rescue effort involving a commercial ship.

The search for survivors was continuing with four patrol boats, an aircraft, and two ships from the European border agency Frontex, a spokesperson for the Greek coastguard told the AFP news agency.

According to ERT, survivors said about 50 people had been on board the wooden boat.

A second boat carrying about 40 migrants and asylum seekers was spotted in the area, leading to another rescue operation.

The deaths come after the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on February 9 that some 53 migrants, including ⁠two babies, were dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Zuwara city.

In January alone, the IOM said, at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing following multiple “invisible” shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean due to extreme weather, with hundreds more deaths believed to be unrecorded.

“These repeated incidents underscore the persistent and deadly risks faced by migrants and refugees attempting the dangerous crossing,” the group said.

Thousands of people attempt the perilous crossing from Libya to Europe over the Mediterranean every year. Libya has become a transit route for people fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe since the fall in 2011 of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

Last week, a ‌United Nations report said migrants in Libya, including young girls, are at risk of being killed, tortured, raped or put into domestic slavery, and called for ‌a ‌moratorium on the return of migrant boats to the country until human rights are ensured.

Many of the migrants and asylum seekers departing Libya seek to arrive in Crete, the gateway to the European Union.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 16,770 people seeking asylum in Europe arrived in Crete in 2025.

Faced with the surge in arrivals, the conservative Greek government suspended the processing of asylum applications for three months last summer, particularly for those arriving from Libya.

The UNHCR says 107 people died or went missing in Greek waters in 2025.

Sunday  22 Feb 2026 {HMC} High-level talks between Somalia’s federal government and the opposition-aligned Somali Future Council resumed Sunday at Villa Somalia, amid continuing disagreements over the country’s electoral direction.

The meeting is part of an ongoing consultative conference launched last week to resolve disputes over elections and constitutional reform, as the government’s term nears its final months.

Sources familiar with the discussions say the Future Council has presented four key proposals it considers essential to shaping the political and electoral roadmap.
Regional Elections Dispute

The first issue centers on elections in three federal member states, namely Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Southwest. The opposition is advocating for indirect elections similar to those recently conducted in Puntland and Jubbaland.

President Hassan Sheikh, however, is said to favor advancing toward a one-person, one-vote system, under which citizens would directly elect their representatives. He has repeatedly signaled opposition to reverting to a fully indirect model.

National Electoral Framework

The second point involves agreement on the broader national electoral model. Opposition leaders propose returning to the indirect system used in previous cycles but expanding the number of delegates to enhance transparency and reduce allegations of manipulation.

The president’s camp argues that Somalia must move forward with preparations for direct elections, describing them as a cornerstone of democratic reform.

Constitutional Review

The third issue concerns the 2012 Provisional Constitution. The Future Council is calling for the protection and full implementation of the original framework, along with a review of recent amendments currently under parliamentary debate.

While President Hassan Sheikh has defended the constitutional review process as necessary for state consolidation, he has also indicated willingness to negotiate on certain provisions.

Electoral Commission

The fourth proposal calls for the establishment of an independent and credible electoral commission to administer any agreed electoral process. The opposition maintains that trust in the management body will be critical to preventing political instability.

The resumed talks reflect deep but ongoing engagement between the two sides. The Somali Future Council which includes leaders from Puntland and Jubbaland has warned against unilateral decisions, arguing that a negotiated settlement is essential to avoid a constitutional vacuum.

Negotiations remain underway, with both sides facing pressure to reach consensus before the expiration of current constitutional mandates.

Source Hiiraan Online

Sunday  22 Feb 2026 {HMC} Former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has called on the current administration to publicly disclose the details of its agreement with Israel, urging transparency and caution over any provisions that could affect religion.

Speaking in Hargeisa this week, Bihi said the government has yet to clarify the nature of its agreement with Israel whether it is a treaty, memorandum of understanding or another form of legal agreement.

“The government has not yet disclosed, nor has it presented to the public what we agreed with Israel whether it is a treaty, an understanding or a written legal agreement and this is expected,” Bihi said. “If it is not an equal agreement or if it harms anyone’s religion, especially Islam, then it will be discussed.”
He emphasized that any deal must be balanced and protect Somaliland’s interests, warning against arrangements that disproportionately benefit one side.

Israel formally recognized Somaliland in December, becoming the first country to do so. The decision has drawn strong opposition from Somalia’s federal government and several regional actors.

During his remarks, Bihi dismissed claims made by Somali federal officials that Israel plans to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland, describing the allegations as baseless and noting that Somaliland authorities have denied such claims.

He also rejected speculation that Israel’s engagement with Somaliland is linked to potential military operations targeting Yemen or Iran, calling such reports “market news” and asserting that Somaliland’s constitution would not permit foreign military activities of that nature.

Bihi criticized Egypt and Türkiye for opposing Somaliland’s recognition, despite their own diplomatic relations with Israel. He argued that Egypt has historically pursued its own strategic interests in the Horn of Africa, particularly concerning Nile River politics, and said the deployment of Egyptian and Turkish troops to Somalia would not produce a lasting solution to regional tensions.

Bihi also appealed to the African Union to respect what he described as Somaliland’s colonial-era borders, citing the AU principle that inherited boundaries should be maintained to avoid territorial disputes.

Bihi’s comments come amid heightened diplomatic friction in the Horn of Africa following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and ongoing negotiations between Somalia’s federal government and opposition groups over electoral and constitutional issues.

Source Hiiraan online