Day: June 3, 2021

The UK government has reinforced its support to the Somali National Army through three different training programmes in Baidoa aimed at delivering effective operations and promoting long-term stability.

The British military in Somalia, deployed on operation TANGHAM, has been running several new training programmes for the Somali National Army in Baidoa, the capital of the Southwest State in Somalia.

This includes the Collective Training programme, where over 100 Somali National Army personnel will undergo intensive training on defensive operations, basic command and control, shooting, tactics, communications, first aid, human rights, all to enhance their efforts in fighting Al Shabaab.

The UK military deployed under operation TANGHAM are also running a joint a key counter C-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) course, which remains a major challenge in Somalia. Working in partnership with SNA and AMISOM, the training featured skills on route sweeping in search of IEDs and detonation.

Twenty Somali National Army soldiers in the South West will also be undergoing two-week staff officers course on logistics, planning and executing operations. The course will culminate with the students planning a major operation with assistance and advice from the Mentoring team.

The British Ambassador to Somalia, Kate Foster, said:

“The UK is helping to develop a strong professional army to help promote long- term peace and conduct effective operations in the region to counter Al- Shabaab.”

“We are proud to be supporting Somalia to strengthen its effort in this collective fight.”

In January 2021, the British Army trained its 500th Somali soldier in essential infantry skills, underlining the UK’s commitment to Somalia’s long-term

security, with plans to train five more companies comprising around 600 troops in 2021.

The UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge MP, visited Somalia earlier in the year, announcing £1.6 million to counter the threat from roadside bombs, and a further £3.37 million for the Somali Security Forces engaged in joint operations with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu,(SONNA)- The Somali National Army (SNA) 5th Danab was dispatched in response to an al-Shabaab (aS) grenade attack on civilians at the Somali Star restaurant in downtown Kismayo, June 2, 2021.

A failed al-Shabaab taxation operation at the Somali Star restaurant near downtown Kismayo prompted the militants to launch several grenades into near-by crowds, injuring three males and three females, to include a two-year-old girl. The SNA 5th Danab dispatched medics as well as a security element to the scene.

“The callus way al-Shabaab indiscriminatingly attacks civilians is appalling,” said Somali National Army Capt. Hassan, the acting Danab brigade commander. “If it wasn’t for the Danab forces there could have been loss of life.”

The severely injured civilians were taken to Kismayo hospital and thanks to the quick reacting Danab force, they are expected to survive.

SNA 5th Danab operations in the region promote a peaceful and stable Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to Somalia and its people.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu:- On May 29, a day set aside to celebrate and honour peacekeepers deployed around the world to help various missions implement their mandated activities, the men and women of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) were hard at work.

In Mogadishu and in all its areas of responsibility, AMISOM officers work to ensure that the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups is reduced, civilians are protected and that the stabilization, reconciliation and peace building of Somalia succeeds.

AMISOM is an active, regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations. It was created by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on 19th January 2007, with an initial six month mandate. Since then, AMISOM’s mandate has been extended via various UN Security Council resolutions.

AMISOM is now in the process of gradually handing over security responsibilities to the Somali security forces, as the country makes progress in navigating the difficult terrain from conflict to peace.

In Mogadishu, on May 29, AMISOM Police Commissioner Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Augustine Magnus Kailie briefed AMISOM Police personnel before they went out on patrol into Mogadishu City, and urged them to serve the population with humility and dignity and to the standards expected of them.

Celebrated annually on 29 May, Peacekeepers Day is a day when the world pays tribute to the contribution of uniformed and civilian personnel in peace support operations, as well to honour those who have sacrificed their lives in pursuit of peace.

“Today is a very important day for peacekeepers all over the world. As you are going to help provide security together with your Somali counterparts, do it to your best ability. We know why we left our various countries to come to Somalia. Our essence of being here is to help the Somali people and the peace process,” AIGP Kailie said.

Mike Osilamah Clement, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Nigeria, was among those officers readying for yet another day of service on patrol. This is what he says he signed up to do, and is determined to make a difference in helping advance AMISOM’s mandate.

Clement’s day starts with a prayer, some push up exercises in his room in Jazeera AMISOM base in southern Mogadishu, before quickly cleaning up his gun, receiving his briefing orders, then rolling out to patrol the streets of Mogadishu. This has been, for the most part, his routine since he was deployed to Somalia some two months ago.

The father of four says it is an honour to serve in Somalia for the noble cause of helping bring about peace and security to an African country in need.

“I love my job,” he says, with steely determination. “The benefits are not for myself, not even for my country alone, not for AMISOM alone, but for the entire world. Through our work peace and stability shall prevail.”

Clement is part of an AMISOM Police paramilitary formation called Formed Police Unit , which is a unit force that conducts street patrols, engages in public order management, secures key government installations as well as provides VIP escorts to dignitaries in Somalia. AMISOM has four Formed Police Units deployed in Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa.

Train, mentor, advise AMISOM Police deployed in Somalia in 2009 and has 1040 personnel deployed across the country. Their main mandate is to train, mentor and advise the Somali Police Force (SPF) in order to transform the SPF into a credible and effective force that adheres to international policing standards. So far, AMISOM police has trained over 8,000 Somali police forces.

Since the mission started, female peacekeepers have always had a full role—even on the frontlines—as an integral part of AMISOM.

Before going on patrol, an all-female AMISOM Formed Police Unit from Uganda, also based in the Jazeera camp, showcased their weapons handling techniques as well fitness levels through defensive and offensive maneuvers.

Training Officer, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP), Immaculate Naggadya, who is from Uganda, said the women peacekeepers are highly motivated, driven and determined to bring success to AMISOM’s mission.

“We do operational duties such as giving support to the Somali police officers. We mentor them. We also protect key facilities and installations like government ministries. Just like our male counterparts, we guard, we protect and we patrol ,” AIP Naggadya said.

AMISOM, in its civilian, police and military ranks, has continuously demonstrated its commitment to promoting the participation of women in its peacekeeping operations. The number of serving female peacekeepers has risen steadily over the years.

ASP Clement is certain that, as Somalia makes steady progress on the path to peace and stability, all of AMISOM’s hard work and the role of its police, military and civilian peacekeepers the years will pay

“We are giving hope to a lot of Somali citizens, we have restored lives to them, we have brought back joy to their faces because seeing us in patrols they are happy,” ASP Mike added.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu,(SONNA)-Major, Mohamed Abdiwahid, the Commander the 6th battalion of Somalia’s special forces (Gorgor) was killed in a battle between SNA and terrorist group of Al-Shabab at Jalable village in Middle Shabelle region on Thursday.

The commander was part of officers leading ongoing security operations against terrorists in the Middle Shabelle region.

The hero who has paid the ultimate price for his country’s stability has been in the military service more than 10 years .

Somalia’s Prime Minister,Mohamed Rooble extended his heavy-hearted condolences to the family,Somali army and all Somali people on the death of Major Mohamed Abdiwahid.

SNA are engaged offensive military operations amid flushing out the extremist group Alshabaab from Middle Shabelle region in Hirshabelle where dozens of militants were killed in the past several days.

More than 100 terrorists were killed and many bases were destroyed in the recent operation which is being led by Somalia’s Army chief, Ge. Odawaa Yusuf .

Source: Somali National News Agency