Somalia: How strengthening of Somali army facing in Al-Shabaab war

MOGADISHU, Somalia - For the last three decades, Somalia has struggled with insecurity, with civil war and terrorism making it difficult for the national army to thrive, leading to the riding of regional militia and forces, a move that appeared to be a major national security threat.

Currently, each state has regional forces apart from the federal army, with locals also allowed to possess weapons and even participate in battlefields, a dangerous precedent that security experts had opposed. However, each team is contributing positively towards the Al-Shabaab crackdown.

Recently, a proposal for a change of model of administration and voting did also highlight mechanisms to amalgamate security forces to promote coordination through central command. The country is training thousands of soldiers who are set to assume security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].

A strengthened Somali National Army [SNA] has been instrumental in pushing for the elimination of Al-Shabaab with minimal support from international partners, a positive progress given the level of disorganization in the military, witnessed during the civil war and subsequent periods.

The strengthening and equipping of the army are hugely credited to international partners, who have been training elite squads that face Al-Shabaab militants. The US has been training and equipping Danab Special Forces, who are used in sophisticated operations in the country.

For instance, recently, over 400 Danab Special Forces graduated from Balligodle Military Academy, in a function attended by Defence Minister Abdikadir Mohamed Nur. Bancroft also participates in the training of these soldiers in Somalia.

Turkey has also been an important partner in the training of soldiers in Somalia, with Turkish-trained Gorgor commandos also taking part in combats across the country. The Gorgor troops are credited for inflicting losses on the Al-Shabaab militants and are often termed as "daring".

In line with its mandate, the ATMIS contingent has also been training soldiers in Somalia, equipping them with the necessary skills to combat crimes. The graduates are trained in VIP protection, counter-insurgence operations, Quick Reaction to insurgence raid missions, and counter-explosive ordinance devices.

The training conforms with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2670 [2022], UNSCR [2687], AU Communique 1068 [2022], and the recently agreed upon Somali Transition Plan by all Troop Contributing Countries. The soldiers are expected to play an important role in the much anticipated second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE