MOGADISHU—In a clandestine and highly secretive operation, the Somali Government, under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has embarked on a series of calculated maneuvers to systematically dismantle military brigades established and strengthened during the tenure of his predecessor, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.
The operation, shrouded in secrecy which was initiated late last year, reportedly aims to erase any remnants of the former President’s legacy, amid suspicions by the current leaders that these forces may pose a potential threat to its rule and harbour loyalty to the previous regime.
Sources within the Somali Intelligence, who have requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the mission, and provided insights into the operation’s execution told the Horn Examiner that the government has adopted a combination of strategies to weaken and undermine the strength of these targeted forces.
One of the tactics involves deliberately under-equipping the brigades, leaving them exposed to attacks from the notorious terrorist group al-Shabab.
As a result , these forces have suffered significant casualties, with hundreds of soldiers from units earmarked for systematic disbandment, such as the Turkish-trained Gorgor (Eagle) and the 14th October brigades, along with the Eritrea-trained Commando Forces, meeting unfortunate fates after al-Shabab overran their military bases in recent months.
A recent highly coordinated attack by the Al-Shabab militia on a military base on the outskirts of Masagawaay, a central Somali town in Galgudud region, proved to be a severe test for the Somali-Eritrean trained troops stationed there.
The troops, comprising 900 soldiers, found themselves severely underequipped with only 12 vehicles, leaving them at a significant disadvantage in the intense battle that followed, resulting in substantial losses.
Despite undergoing rigorous training in Eritrea for several years, the troops were overwhelmed by the unexpected scale and ferocity of the attack.
Security experts view these missions as a manifestation of the current administration’s determination to assert its authority and dismantle any perceived remnants of the previous leadership.
However, critics argue that such covert maneuvers risk exacerbating internal divisions and could potentially escalate tensions within the military ranks.
Concerns have also been raised about the broader implications on Somalia’s security landscape, considering the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups operating in the region.
Moreover, to weaken the command structure and morale of these military units, the government has been dismissing their commanders, most recently the US-trained Danab Commander Ahmed Abdullahi ‘Beryare’ and Eritrean-trained Commander Abdirisak Muhumed Haji better known as Abdirisak Eritrea, leading to internal rifts and questions over the government’s true intentions.
DEADLY TRAPS
Reports suggest that as part of the secret mission, the government has also orchestrated covert operations to lure some units of the targeted forces into designated camps under the guise of retraining.
One such incident occurred last week, as a suicide bomber infiltrated a highly-guarded military training camp in the capital, Mogadishu, where soldiers from the coastal town of Marka, 90 km north of Mogadishu, who were transferred for supposed refresher courses were being trained.
The attack at the Jaalle Siyad Military Academy has resulted in the death of at least 40 soldiers. Dozens of others were wounded.
In the aftermath of attack which has drawn significant public scrutiny, Sheikh Aden Madobe, the acting Somali President and the Parliamentary Speaker has denounced the attack as inside job, and was ‘probably ‘ facilitated by ‘treasonous’ officials, demanding an accountability for it.
“This is unacceptable – the evil facilitators involved in that heinous act must be brought to justice sooner than later.” He said angrily.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, however, is yet to address the devastating attack or offered condolences to the victims and their families, adding to the shock and raising questions about his response.
UNDER UAE’S PRESSURE
As the clandestine operation to dismantle the targeted military continues, tensions have escalated within the Somali Government as it faces mounting pressure from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to dissolve Turkish-trained military units operating within the country.
With that, Somali officials say, the UAE seeks to replace those units with troops trained by the Emirates, sparking concerns among regional experts about the unfolding geopolitical struggle in the Horn of Africa.
Sources within the Somali Government, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the UAE has been actively pressuring officials to cut ties with Turkish military trainers and expel their units from the country. However, Mogadishu finds it difficult to implement this request due to the longstanding historical relations and strong people-to-people connections with Ankara.
The Turkish presence in Somalia dates back in 2011 at the height of famine in Somalia and later Ankara established a military training mission to support the Somali National Army in its fight against the al-Shabab insurgency.
Over the years, Turkish trainers have played a crucial role in building the capacity of Somali security forces and providing much-needed support in various development projects across the nation.
UAE officials are said to be concerned that Turkey’s growing presence could undermine their efforts to maintain a foothold in the country, given the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa for both nations.
FUNDS THROUGH PRIVATE ACCOUNTS
The Horn Examiner has learnt that UAE’s financial support and salaries for its private Somali forces has bypassed the country’s official financial institutions. Instead the funds were channeled through private bank accounts linked to the Ministry of Defence.
The Emirates’ actions have raised questions about the transparency and oversight of its financial support, potentially impacting Somalia’s stability and sovereignty.
Under this arrangement, the UAE has asserted a direct control over thousands of troops, and continue the recruitment and training for Somali forces.
The salary provided to these private forces are twice as high as that of the country’s regular army, leading to the forces directly reporting to the UAE’s command. This development has sparked concerns among observers about the UAE’s true intentions in Somalia.
A member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security who is privy with the matter has confirmed that, General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin, the new Somali Army Chief, has expressed his lack of awareness regarding the management of UAE’s finances for its private forces during their recent informal meeting.
The Army Chief’s revelation has raised concerns among members of the standing parliamentary defense committee, who stressed the importance of having a clear understanding of foreign military involvement within Somali territory.
Observers claim that the UAE has leveraged its economic ties and provided financial aid to gain sway over key decision-makers in Somalia. Such dynamics have fueled suspicions about the UAE’s intentions in the region.
Experts warn that Somalia stands at a critical juncture, where decisions made by its leaders could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s security, sovereignty and foreign relations.
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