Somalia Expands Elite Military Infrastructure As Danab Base Nears Completion

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s military leadership says a new base for the elite Danab Special Forces in the central city of Dhusamareb is nearing completion, as part of broader federal government efforts to strengthen the country’s security forces and intensify operations against Al-Shabaab.

The Commander of the Somali National Army, Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, visited the facility during an inspection tour aimed at assessing the progress of the construction project and operational readiness of troops stationed at the camp.

The army chief was received by senior officers led by Colonel Mohamed Bashir Sheikh Aligood Barqadle, commander of the 163rd Battalion of the 16th Danab Brigade, who briefed him on the final stages of the project and activities at the base.

During the visit, Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud addressed members of the Danab forces and called on them to intensify operations against Al-Shabaab while maintaining what he described as a strong commitment to defending the country.

He praised the troops for their sacrifices and frontline role in ongoing military offensives targeting militant strongholds across central and southern Somalia.

Military officials said the new military facility is expected to significantly improve the operational capacity, mobility and readiness of the Danab Special Forces, one of Somalia’s most effective counterterrorism units.

The development reflects continued federal government investment in rebuilding Somalia’s armed forces as authorities work to gradually transfer more security responsibilities to national troops.

Somalia has in recent year’s expanded military infrastructure, training programs and frontline deployments as part of wider efforts to weaken Al-Shabaab and stabilize areas recovered from militant control.

The visit also comes as the federal government intensifies cooperation with international partners to strengthen Somalia’s security institutions ahead of the ongoing transition from foreign peacekeeping support under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.