Burundian forces hand over base to Somali troops ahead of ATMIS exit

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In compliance with Somali Transition Plan [STP], a number of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops have started handing over some of the Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] to Somalia National Army [SNA] ahead of planned strategic withdrawal.

According to reports, the Burundian forces serving in ATMIS handed over Xaaji Cali [Haji Ali] Forward Operating Base, Middle Shabelle region, to Somali forces as part of the ATMIS drawdown. ATMIS plans to complete the withdrawal of 2000 soldiers from Somalia by the end of this month.

The Burundian contingent is the second largest in ATMIS and has played a key role in degrading Al-Shabaab militants in several parts of HirShabelle, a state which was initially a home to the militants. Most of the soldiers serving in the contingent participated in the first phase of operations against the group.

Statistics from the Federal Government of Somalia indicate that over 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the first phase with the country now planning the second onslaught in Southwest and Jubaland states. Recently, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made changes in the top most leadership of the SNA, which saw him sack army chief Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh.

The exit of Burundi soldiers is a huge indicator that the African Union could not stay in Somalia beyond schedule, with December 2024 set aside as the deadline. The Union has close to 22,000 strong force which has been conducting peace operations within Somalia for the last 15 years.

Recently, the government of Somalia confirmed that it had trained over 20,000 soldiers who are going to take over from AU forces, having been also equipped to take security responsibilities. Critics argue that the exit of the ATMIS troops could give Al-Shabaab more room to antagonize locals.

Elsewhere, the National Army’s commandos [DANAB] eliminated 13 Al-Shabaab terrorists in a planned operation near Yaqdabeyl village in LowerJubba region where terrorists were hiding on Monday night. During the operation the troops recovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 1 PKM machine gun and 1 rocket-propelled grenade RPG, the army reported.

Al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia but the strong resistance from local and foreign troops have kept them at bay. Al-Shabaab however, still controls large swathes of rural central and southern parts of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE