As Somalia advances in its journey towards self-reliance and sustainability in national security, the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted mostly by Al Shabbab terrorists remains critical.
Their impact on local communities and national armed forces is devastating: in the last 12 months, about 600 IEDs resulted in about 1,500 casualties throughout the country.
The Somali National Army (SNA), with support from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), has been leading the fight against the persistent threat posed by IEDs.
“I think everyone in the room knows how serious this threat is. The primary targets are your fellow soldiers in the SNA. It’s crucially important that a solution be found to address this threat,” said the UN Acting Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of a month-long ‘train-the-trainer’ course aimed at enhancing the SNA’s capabilities in countering IEDs.
Many of the guests at the training launch experienced first-hand the perils faced by soldiers.
“We encountered numerous dangers, including enemy blockades and remote-controlled IEDs. We lost many comrades,” recalled Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Mohamud Awale from his many years of operational experience in the Hiraan and Galgaduud regions.
Another official, Colonel Faisal Ali Noor, shared a vivid memory of tragic IED incidents.
“At times, IEDs detonated while we were digging, resulting in casualties. Due to our limited knowledge, we even resorted to lighting fires to defuse the IEDs, which led to further fatalities,” he explained.
The statistics underscore the grave consequences: in 2023, the SNA reported 378 deaths and 451 injuries due to IEDs, highlighting the ongoing risk to both military personnel and civilians.
Background:
The armed conflict between the Somali National Army (SNA) and Al Shabaab, a militant Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, has ravaged Somalia since 2006. Al Shabaab, meaning “The Youth” in Arabic, emerged as the youth wing of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and seeks to establish a strict Islamic state in Somalia.
The conflict escalated in 2007 with Ethiopia’s intervention, followed by Kenya’s entry in 2011. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was deployed in 2012 to support the SNA.
Despite international efforts, Al Shabaab continues to wage guerrilla warfare, employing tactics such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assassinations, and ambushes.
The conflict has devastating humanitarian consequences. Over 1 million people are displaced, and 2.5 million require humanitarian assistance. In 2023, the SNA reported 378 deaths and 451 injuries due to IEDs.
Al Shabaab’s attacks have targeted civilians, including the 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi and the 2015 Garissa University College attack in Kenya.
The Somalia government, with international support, has launched offensives against Al Shabaab, recapturing key territories. The US has conducted drone strikes and ground raids since 2013.
Somalia
Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, is a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse geography.
With a population of approximately 16 million, Somalia has a long coastline along the Indian Ocean and borders Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti.
Its capital, Mogadishu, is a historic city with ancient mosques and markets.
Somalia’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, livestock, and fishing, with significant natural resources including uranium, iron ore, and copper.
Despite facing decades of civil war, terrorism, and political instability, Somalia has made progress in rebuilding its government and institutions, with the Federal Government of Somalia established in 2012.
The country continues to face challenges, including the ongoing conflict with Al Shabaab, but remains a vital player in regional politics and a potential hub for trade and economic growth in East Africa.
