In what may be the first reported case of Somalis doing their part to prevent Somalia-based piracy operations, a speed boat carrying 7 men, AK-47s, RPGs, and ammo were seized by government and African Union officials.
Two of the men arrested from the speed boat, (c) Somalia Report
A Senior Somali government official told Somalia Report that Somalia’s coast guard, with the support of African Union peacekeeping forces, today seized a speedboat near Mogadishu’s old port carrying at least seven men and a variety of weapons.
“We are still busy searching the boat. So far we have found variety of weapons. Once we are done we will speak to the media. We strongly believe that the weapons belong to al-Shabaab,” said the official on the condition of anonymity.
Two Kenyans and one Tanzanian were arrested and are being questioned at the Afar-Irdood police station in Hamar Weyne district of Mogadishu, while two others were taken by African Union forces, according to Mogadishu’s central commander Garad Nur Abdulle. Two others reportedly escaped by jumping into the sea, however, this has not yet been confirmed.
Somali naval commander Farah Ahmed Omar (Qare) confirmed the arrest of three men, Ali Omar Ali, Abdalle Ksuwa Ali, and Ali Nakari Said and reported that Ali Nakari Said told police they had been lost at sea for the last seven days. They claimed the boat came from Mombassa, Kenya.
African Union spokesman Paddy Ankunda confirmed to Somalia Report that they are holding some suspects, but would not verify the number. Once the investigation has concluded, the AU will make an official comment.
The speedboat was carrying with AK-47 rifles, RPGs, machine guns, and ammunition, according to the official.
European Union diplomats said they expect to reach a deal during an EU summit this week on an 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which Slovakia and Hungary are using as a bargaining chip for concessions on Russian energy.
Israel and Iran appeared to be honoring a ceasefire agreement unexpectedly announced by US President Donald Trump overnight, after the American leader reacted angrily to early breaches of the deal by both sides.
U.S. strikes on several Iranian nuclear sites represent a meaningful escalation of the Middle East conflict that could lead Tehran to disrupt vital exports of oil and gas from the region, sparking a surge in energy prices. But history tells us that any disruption would likely be short-lived.
June 23, 2025
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