MOGADISHU — The Commander of the Somali National Army Ground Forces, Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, has formally seen off army units deploying to join ongoing nationwide operations aimed at eradicating terrorism.
In his address to the troops, General Sahal Abdullahi Omar encouraged them to uphold discipline and resilience, while also emphasizing the importance of strengthening their faith and commitment. He urged the soldiers to achieve decisive victories in the fight against extremist groups.
The commander further instructed the forces to remain vigilant in protecting civilians, stressing their responsibility to safeguard communities and provide support to vulnerable populations during military operations.
Ongoing Large-Scale Military Offensives
The deployment coincides with the Somali National Army’s intensified large-scale military campaigns across various regions to eliminate terrorist presence and restore stability in areas plagued by insecurity. The Ministry of Defense recently announced that the national army, backed by regional security forces, carried out a large-scale operation in southern provinces, killing 27 Al-Shabaab terrorists, including key members of the group. The operations were conducted in areas under Jilib, Hagar, and Afmadow districts in the Middle and Lower Juba regions, targeting Al-Shabaab as forces advanced on the ground. During the course of these ground operations, airstrikes supported by international partners were carried out in parallel, effectively intensifying the targeting of Al-Shabaab militants hiding in those areas.
Somali forces also seized a significant cache of weapons and equipment, including machine guns, RPGs, AK-47s and landmines that the terrorists had planned to use to stage attacks in the region. The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed that operations will continue until the region is fully secured.
Frontline Assessment in Liberated Areas
General Sahal has been actively conducting frontline assessments to evaluate the security architecture of newly liberated zones. Executing a high-level operational review, the Commander conducted a direct frontline inspection of military outposts across the Lower Shabelle region, integrating top-tier military leadership featuring the Commander of the elite 16th Danab Commando Brigade and the Acting Commander of the SNA Support Command. During field maneuvers, General Sahal arrived at strategic forward operating locations including Sabiid, Caanoole, and Mubaarak to reinforce troop morale, assess physical defense fortifications, and accelerate the offensive tempo against remaining militant networks.
Advocating for Advanced Technology Integration
General Sahal has been at the forefront of advocating for the modernization of Somalia’s ground forces through advanced technology. Representing the Federal Republic of Somalia at the African Land Forces Summit 2026 held in Rome, Italy, the Commander articulated Somalia’s evolving defense posture, specifically highlighting how the integration of advanced drone technology is fundamentally reshaping the Somali National Army’s counter-terrorism operations and battlefield dominance against militant networks. During his executive address, the Commander emphasized the necessity of fortifying operational coordination and upgrading regional intelligence-sharing architectures.
Egypt-Somalia Defence Cooperation
Beyond frontline operations, General Sahal has been instrumental in strengthening Somalia’s international defense partnerships. The State Minister of Defence for Somalia and the Commander of the SNA Land Forces, Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, held discussions with Egypt’s Defence Attaché in Mogadishu, focusing on strengthening bilateral defence ties, with emphasis on military training, capacity building, and Egypt’s upcoming troop deployment under the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somali officials welcomed Egypt’s engagement, highlighting the importance of regional partnerships in reinforcing national security and stabilization efforts.
Assessing Operations in Central Somalia
The Ground Forces Commander has also conducted operational assessments in central Somalia to ensure the effectiveness of ongoing campaigns. Brigadier General Sahal visited the headquarters of the 21st Division in Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug State, where he was briefed by senior commanders on the division’s operational status, including strategic plans and ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorist groups in the region. The discussions focused on the security dynamics in central Somalia, recent military gains, and the coordination between the armed forces and local authorities to ensure stability.
Commitment to Civilian Protection
The Commander has consistently emphasized the protection of non-combatants during military engagements. At the African Land Forces Summit, General Sahal reinforced the Federal Government’s strict commitment to the protection of non-combatants during high-intensity combat engagements, mandating that all military maneuvers and territorial clearance operations be executed in absolute compliance with domestic legal frameworks and international humanitarian ethics.
National Effort to End Extremist Threats
Authorities confirm that these operations represent a wider national initiative to completely free the nation from extremist threats and establish enduring peace and security for the Somali population. The Somali National Army continues to intensify its operations across multiple regions, with military leadership coordinating closely with regional forces and international partners to ensure that security gains are sustained and that liberated areas remain free from militant influence.
The deployment of army units seen off by General Sahal forms part of the broader strategy to maintain pressure on Al-Shabaab strongholds while simultaneously protecting civilian populations and supporting stabilization efforts in recovered territories.
