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ATMIS Sector Five honcho, Oscal Hatungimana, showered kudos on the tag-team effort of ATMIS forces, Somali troops, locals, and international allies in squaring off against the Al Shabaab insurgents. "This teamwork is key in chipping away Al Shabaab's strength," Hatungimana noted. Ceel Eglow's strategic outpost, helmed by ATMIS folks from Burundi since 2019, has been a linchpin in keeping the key supply routes between Mogadishu and Jowhar safe, aiding both military expeditions and humanitarian missions. This stage of the…

At least 3,000 Ethiopian troops are stationed in Somalia through ATMIS, with another 5,000-7,000 Ethiopian soldiers deployed via a bilateral pact. Despite escalating tensions, ATMIS is steadfast in its plan to pull out by December 31, transitioning to a leaner force. As this withdrawal proceeds, the Somali government exudes optimism about handling al-Shabaab, aiming for a new squadron of no more than 10,000 troops focused on securing key urban hubs. However, Ethiopia asserts it has not received any formal notification from…

Ethiopian Troops Head into Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya - Reports have surfaced of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) entering Somali lands, sparking unease among the two interlinked nations glued together by their security ties. Locals in Matabaan witnessed Ethiopian soldiers advancing into Somalia, though the operation's objective remains mysterious. Ethiopia stands as a pivotal security ally to the Horn of Africa nation. One local official mentioned Ethiopian troops "retracted" after having…

"We've witnessed them launch assaults, capture zones, and maintain control. This clearly signals to terror factions that their reign is dwindling. A finely trained, well-armed Somali National Army Force (SNAF) is indisputably shifting the balance in the fight against terrorism in Somalia," Hatungimana conveyed to Somali security forces in a broadcast from Mogadishu, Somalia's epicenter. This pronouncement followed AMTIS's handover of the Jowhar town military bastion to the SNAF. The Jowhar fortress marks the second…

The African Union threw its weight behind Somalia's plea to slow the pullout of troops battling Islamist militants, advocating for a fresh international force to take over from the AU peacekeeping mission. For over 17 years, Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked faction, has been wreaking havoc on the fragile central government in Mogadishu. UN edicts called for the African Union peacekeeping force, tagged ATMIS, to completely withdraw by December 31, transferring security duties to the Somali military and police forces.…

The United Nations decreed that the African Union peacekeeping mission, ATMIS, should withdraw all troops by December 31, phasing the handover of security duties to the Somali military and police.The withdrawal's third phase anticipated the exit of 4,000 troops by late June.However, an official from the AU, who stayed incognito, told AFP that in May, the Somali government implored the Peace and Security Council (PSC) to retain half of the troops for an additional three months.The government wants just 2,000 troops to depart…

AU Mulls Over Delaying Troop Pullout in Somalia Amid Al-Shabaab's Uprising ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The African Union is reassessing a plea from Somalia's government to slow down the scheduled retreat of AU forces as they grapple with the persistent menace of Islamist militants. For the past 17 years, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabaab has unleashed a brutal insurgency against Somalia's fragile central authority. United Nations directives mandate a phased exit of the African Union peacekeeping mission, dubbed ATMIS,…

"Despite ATMIS troop withdrawal, we'll ensure no security gaps," Souef vowed following a two-day jaunt to Jowhar in Somalia's south-central heartland, per the statement emerging from Mogadishu on Saturday night. Souef highlighted that the transition will be meticulously planned between the federal member states (FMS), Somalia's government, and international allies. During his visit, Souef heaped praise on the Burundian forces for their tireless efforts in diminishing the influence of al-Shabab. He urged them to stay sharp…

AU Transfers Base to Somalia's Military Amid Troop Reduction MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a landmark event representing the third wave of military drawdown, the African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) relinquished control of the Barire base to Somali security forces. Situated in the Lower Shabelle region, this base had been a strategic asset under the Uganda People’s Defense Forces of ATMIS since 2019, positioned roughly 60 km west of Mogadishu. ATMIS Uganda's Commander Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi…

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) announced on Sunday that it has handed the Barire military base over to Somali security forces, signaling the onset of the third phase of troops pulling out. Situated in the Lower Shabelle region, the military base was managed by the ATMIS Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces since 2019. Its strategic location, roughly 60 km west of Mogadishu, acts as a defensive buffer for the Somali capital. "Transferring the Barire military base represents more than just moving assets;…