ATMIS Hands Over Jowhar Base to Somali Forces

GOOBJOOG NEWS | JOWHAR: ATMIS forces Thursday handed over a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Jowhar Town to the Somali Security Forces as part of the Phase 3 troop drawdown is aimed at gradually transferring security responsibilities to Somali authorities.

ATMIS Military Chief Engineer Col. Suleiman Ibrahim while overseeing the handover ceremony reassured the Somali people that the drawdown would not create a security vacuum, emphasizing the continuous collaboration between ATMIS and the SSF.

He commended the dedication by both ATMIS and Somali forces in defending the region from the security threat posed by the Al-Shabaab militants and highlighted the importance of this transition in fostering long-term peace and stability in Somalia.

On his part, Patrick Duah, Chief of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Transition Planning Cell said UNSOS had supplied the Somali National Army (SNA) with essential equipment to enhance the operational capabilities and living conditions at the FOB.

“The support from UNSOS has been instrumental in ensuring that the SSF are well-equipped to take over these responsibilities,” Duah remarked. “These resources are vital for maintaining the efficiency and sustainability of the security operations in Jowhar.”

The handover marks a crucial step in transferring Somalia’s security responsibilities to the Somali forces and aligns with broader efforts to empower the national army and build a robust, self-sufficient security framework in the country.