MOGADISHU — The Commander of the Somali National Army, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, has paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Somali Naval Forces in Mogadishu, where he called for strengthened coordination, discipline, and operational readiness.
During the visit, the Army Commander received briefings from senior naval officers on ongoing operations, the force’s performance, and efforts to enhance the Navy’s capacity to effectively fulfill its national responsibilities. The visit also focused on assessing the Navy’s operational status and identifying areas requiring improved coordination and cooperation.
Brigadier General Mohamud urged the leadership and officers of the Naval Forces to enhance internal cooperation and maintain a high level of readiness to effectively carry out their assigned duties.
The Commander also visited the Horseed Club Sports Complex, where he observed the facility’s activities and its role in promoting sports and community engagement.
The visit comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen its security institutions and enhance the capacity of its armed forces to contribute to national security and the protection of national responsibilities.
Somali forces have been conducting intensified operations against Al-Shabaab militants, with the Somali National Armed Forces carrying out a 72-hour planned security operation across the Buulo Cabdalla corridor in Lower Shabelle, resulting in the death of 22 Al-Shabaab militants, including their regional commander.
The Danab Commandos are widely regarded as Somalia’s most capable special forces unit and have been at the forefront of the country’s counter-terrorism operations against Al-Shabaab. Trained and equipped with support from the United States, the Danab have conducted numerous high-intensity raids that have significantly degraded the militant group’s operational capacity.
The graduation builds on a series of capacity-building initiatives at military academies across Somalia, with the Danab Special Forces at the forefront of high-risk operations against Al-Shabaab.
The European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-Somalia) has been a key partner in these efforts, providing training and support to Somali security forces since 2010, with a focus on building the capacity of the Somali National Army.
Critical Note
The visit by the Somali National Army Commander to the Naval Forces Headquarters reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination and readiness across Somalia’s security institutions. However, the effectiveness of these efforts will depend on the government’s ability to provide adequate resources, training, and institutional support to the naval forces, which have historically been under-resourced compared to other branches of the military.
As Somalia continues to face security challenges from Al-Shabaab and other threats, the role of the naval forces in protecting Somalia’s coastline and maritime resources is increasingly important. The government must prioritize investment in the naval forces to enable them to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
The international community should continue to support these efforts while maintaining oversight to ensure that assistance is used effectively and transparently.
