Somalia, CIVIC Agree to Bolster Civilian Protection in Military Operations

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NEW YORK: Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Macallin Fiqi and the head of the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) pledged on Friday to deepen cooperation to protect civilians during military operations, as Mogadishu pushes ahead with security sector reforms.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of international talks in New York, focused on embedding civilian protection measures into Somali military planning and battlefield conduct.

Fiqi said the government remained committed to international humanitarian law as it builds a professional and accountable national army capable of countering militant groups while minimizing harm to civilians.

CIVIC Executive Director Hichem Khadhraoui welcomed progress by Somali forces and confirmed the group would continue training troops and running awareness campaigns on civilian protection.

The collaboration comes as Somalia intensifies operations against insurgents, with officials stressing that safeguarding civilians is central to the country’s security transition.