U.S. Delivers Military Aid to Somalia’s Elite Forces Amid Intensified Anti-Al-Shabaab Offensive

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The United States has delivered a new batch of military equipment to Somalia’s elite Danab commando unit in a bid to boost the country’s fight against Al-Shabaab militants, Somali officials said on Thursday.

The handover, made by U.S. Ambassador Richard Riley in Mogadishu, is part of ongoing security cooperation between Washington and the Federal Government of Somalia. The shipment includes specialized gear intended to strengthen the operational effectiveness of the Somali National Army (SNA), particularly its Danab commandos, who lead frontline counter-terrorism missions.

“The Ministry of Defense welcomes this critical support, which will significantly enhance the Danab Commandos’ ability to combat terrorism and reinforce national security,” the Ministry said in a statement. It added that the delivery marks a key step in improving the army’s readiness to tackle complex threats across the country.

This latest assistance comes as Somali forces ramp up operations to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked group waging a long-running insurgency. The U.S. and Somalia have maintained a strategic security partnership focused on degrading the militant network and promoting regional stability in the Horn of Africa.

Analysts say the strengthened Danab forces could play a pivotal role in upcoming military campaigns, especially as Somalia prepares for a gradual transition from reliance on international troops to a fully autonomous national defense.