Tuesday November 26, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Former director of the Somali National Security Agency (NISA), Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir, has supported the federal government’s decision to deploy troops to Raskambooni in the Lower Juba region to secure the country’s border with Kenya.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Fahad Yasin congratulated the Somali National Army (SNA) for their efforts to protect the country’s borders and urged Kenya to engage directly with Somalia on matters of security and economic collaboration.
“I congratulate the Somali National Army for fulfilling their national duty of protecting the country’s borders and taking over the security of the borders of both countries, Somalia and Kenya,” Yasin wrote.
The deployment of troops to Raskambooni on Monday marks a significant step in Somalia’s military operation against al-Shabab and its preparations to assume security responsibilities currently managed by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Iraqi, commander of the SNA’s 18th Battalion of Special Forces, stated that the mission is focused on securing areas vacated by ATMIS, particularly those previously controlled by Kenyan forces.
“The forces are tasked with taking over all areas vacated by ATMIS. We have a responsibility to ensure security across the country and must expel al-Shabab,” he said on state media.
The troop deployment aligns with Somalia’s national strategy to transition to the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will replace ATMIS starting January 1, 2025.
