US to build 5 new military bases for Somali army to bolster its capabilities amid rebellion by extremist group

The US has announced its plans to construct up to five military bases for the Somali army, aiming to enhance the national army’s capabilities in the face of ongoing threats posed by an extremist group.

A memorandum of understanding was signed on Thursday in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, between Somalia’s defence minister and the US charge d’affaires. This agreement comes as the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as ATMIS, is reducing its presence in the country.

The new bases will be linked to the Somali military’s Danab Brigade, established in 2017 under a US-Somalia agreement to recruit, train, equip, and mentor 3,000 individuals from across Somalia to strengthen the infantry capability within the Somali army. The Danab Brigade has played a crucial role as a rapid response force in counteracting the extremist group al-Shabab.

The U.N. Security Council has authorized the reduction of the peacekeeping force in Somalia, and the Somali government says it is achieving progress in improving security.

But al-Shabab continues to carry out sporadic attacks across Somalia, including in public places. The group’s latest attack, an incident inside a military base in Mogadishu, killed four Emirati troops and a Bahraini military officer.

With inputs from Reuters.