US says reevaluates backing Somali special forces

Speaking to the VOA Somali service, an unnamed official at the US embassy in Mogadishu said Washington will revaluate backing the SNA's Danab trained by the American military. 

News Keydmedia Online
26 October 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States has said it is considering continuing support for the elite Danab forces in Somalia, following reports that they have taken part in the Guriel war.

Speaking to the VOA Somali Tuesday, an unnamed official at the US embassy in Mogadishu said Washington will revaluate backing the SNA's Danab trained by the American military. 

This shocking news came after a top Danab commander in charge of the Galmudug operation Major Abdilatif [Feyfle] was killed in Saturday's battle against Ahlu Sunna in the town.

The official further said that the United States does want to deviate the special forces from its intended counter-terrorism operations in Somalia against Al-Shabaab and ISIS militants. 

Keydmedia Online has learned that the issue has created lots of talks at the US embassy in Mogadishu. Washington has trained, equipped, and paid the salaries of the Danab soldiers.

Danab Force was established at Balidoogle Airbase near Walaweyn district of the Lower Shabelle region. Training for the first unit began in Oct 2013, with the launch of 150 troops.

They are numbered around 1,000, and they often operate along with the US personnel during the covert operations in Al-Shabaab hideouts in Somalia, according to the sources. 

In 2017, the US suspended support for the Somali military over corruption and resumed the aid recently after the government has made reforms and biometric registration of the SNA.

KEYDMEDIA English