Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has urged Somalia’s newly trained Danab special forces to use their military skills to serve the public and protect the country.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Monday presided over the graduation of the 12th batch of Danab special forces after completing military training at the Martyr Gen. Hassan Tuure Training School.
The graduation ceremony at Baledogle Airfield, located about 90 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Mogadishu in the Lower Shabelle region was attended by the defence minister and the commander of the Somali National Army, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
The latest batch received training in a range of military and professional skills, including criminal law, human rights, medical and communications skills, weapons maintenance and troubleshooting, and different combat tactics.
Hamza praised the recruits for their discipline, perseverance and commitment during the training period, urging them to use the knowledge and skills they had acquired in service of the Somali people and in defending the country.
“The knowledge and skills you have acquired must be used to serve the Somali people and defend your country,” Hamza said, according to the statement.
The prime minister said his government was giving particular priority to strengthening and improving Somalia’s armed forces, with the aim of building a national military capable of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
He urged the newly trained soldiers to uphold the law and demonstrate patriotism, loyalty and commitment in carrying out their duties.
The Danab, meaning “lightning” in Somali, is an elite Somali army unit that has been at the forefront of operations against Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group that has waged an insurgency in Somalia for more than a decade.
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The government has sought to expand and professionalise Somalia’s security forces as part of efforts to gradually assume greater responsibility for national security amid the ongoing transition of international military support.
During Monday’s ceremony, the recruits demonstrated some of the military skills and knowledge they had acquired during their training. The exercises were intended to showcase their preparedness for national duties, including defending the country, maintaining security and conducting operations against militant groups.
The prime minister also called on the graduates to remain committed to Somalia’s security and stability, stressing the importance of discipline and respect for the law in the armed forces.
Somalia has been rebuilding its military and other security institutions following decades of conflict, while government forces continue to conduct operations against Al-Shabaab in several parts of the country.
The Danab brigade has received training and support from the United States as part of wider efforts to develop Somalia’s counter-insurgency capabilities.
The graduation comes as Somali authorities face continuing security challenges, with Al-Shabaab maintaining the ability to carry out attacks despite sustained military operations by Somali forces and their international partners.
The government says strengthening the capacity of Somali security forces remains central to its long-term strategy of taking full responsibility for the country’s security.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
