Abdul Fatah Qasim, the Deputy Minister of Defense for the Somali government, met on Wednesday with a delegation of officers from the U.S. Department of Defense to discuss enhancing American support for Somalia. The meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, also highlighted ways to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations, according to the Somali news agency, SONNA.
During recent military operations in the southern city of Jamame, at least 50 members of the extremist group Al-Shabaab, including prominent leaders, were killed, as reported by government media. The engagements occurred along the Juba River in the city of Jamame, Lower Juba province. The confrontations also resulted in the wounding and capture of other Al-Shabaab militants, and the army successfully neutralized several landmines.
The news agency added that the government’s military operation took place over the past few days, during which these key leaders were killed. This operation follows a separate military action that resulted in the death of 30 Al-Shabaab fighters.
The security situation in Somalia remains complex and volatile, primarily due to the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab, an extremist group that has been active in the region for over a decade. Despite significant military efforts by the Somali government and international allies, Al-Shabaab continues to control substantial rural areas and carry out attacks within Somalia and in neighboring countries.
In recent developments, the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is gradually drawing down, with plans to transition security responsibilities to Somali forces by the end of 2024. This phase-out has raised concerns about the readiness of Somali security forces to handle the ongoing threats independently
Furthermore, the situation is exacerbated by political and economic instability. Efforts to enhance governance and security have been ongoing, with some progress in political reforms and economic development. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is often undermined by internal divisions and insufficient resources.
The violence has led to significant displacement and suffering among the civilian population, with women and children being disproportionately affected. The international community continues to provide support, but the needs remain substantial amid ongoing insecurity and humanitarian crises.