Somalia’s Federal Government has deployed additional Somali National Army troops, including Gorgor special forces, to the outskirts of Barawe in the Lower Shabelle region to strengthen security.
The deployed forces include the 8th Battalion of the 60th Division and the 21st Battalion of the 1st Division’s Gorgor Commandos.
Somali National Army Commander, Major General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, inspected the troops and urged them to fulfil their national responsibilities, particularly protecting Barawe, one of the areas where Ugandan troops are expected to withdraw.
He also called on the soldiers to prepare for military operations against Al-Shabaab aimed at removing the group from areas where it maintains a presence in Lower Shabelle.
The deployment comes as Uganda begins withdrawing troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements and prepares to gradually pull out its remaining forces, including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), by the end of 2027.
Mustaqbal
