The transfer of the Burgavo Forward Operating Base (FOB) from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) on Friday marks a significant step in Phase Three of the ATMIS drawdown.
This base, located on Somalia’s southern coast, approximately 530 kilometers from Mogadishu, was previously operated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under ATMIS.
The base has been vital in countering Al-Shabaab’s influence and safeguarding the Burgavo-Ras Kamboni Main Supply Route (MSR), a crucial logistical and strategic corridor.
Its transfer aligns with Somalia’s broader efforts to enhance its military self-reliance as ATMIS gradually transitions responsibilities to national forces.
This handover is expected to maintain the momentum against insurgent threats while bolstering SNAF’s operational capacity in Jubbaland and the surrounding regions.