Rome, Italy – The Commander of the Somali National Army, Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rageh, is on an official working visit to the Republic of Italy, accompanied by a senior delegation of military officials.
During the visit, the delegation was received at the Italian Defence Headquarters by the Chief of the Defence Staff of Italy, General Luciano Portolano. The warm welcome underscored the longstanding relationship between the two countries and their respective armed forces.
Maj. Gen. Odawa and Gen. Portolano held high-level talks focusing on deepening military cooperation, with discussions covering areas such as capacity building, joint training programs, logistical support, and strategic coordination. Both sides expressed a shared commitment to enhancing defence collaboration, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism and regional stability.
The visit reflects Somalia’s broader efforts to modernize its national forces and build robust international defence partnerships. Italy has historically played a supportive role in Somalia’s military development, and the latest engagement signals a renewed push toward more structured and impactful cooperation.