Somalia's Al Shabab militant group fired a mortar at the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Wednesday, showing its continued threat on land as it seeks to profit from a resurgence in piracy off the country's coast. In central Somalia, government forces this week captured the key Al Shabab stronghold of Ceel Bur, which the militants had controlled for the past 15 years. Other Al Shabab members reportedly fled to pockets of southern Somalia still controlled by the group. Alliance with piratesDespite these setbacks, Al Shabab has expanded its ability to disrupt the international order through a new alliance with Somali pirates operating off the coast. Red Sea shipping divertedThe threat from Somali pirates comes as Yemen's Houthis continue their campaign to disrupt international shipping in the nearby Red Sea and Bab Al Mandeb.

Source: Ethiopian News December 29, 2023 10:30 UTC