Aside from heavy weapons, equipment includedsupport and construction vehicles, explosive ordinance
disposal kits, medical supplies, and maintenance equipment for vehicles and
weapons. Most of thesupplies are already on their way to Hishabelle and
Galmudug States to support SNA troops.
“We cheer the success achieved by Somali
security forces in their historic fight to liberate Somali communities
suffering under al-Shabaab,” said Ambassador André. “This is a Somali-led
and Somali-fought campaign. The United States reaffirms our commitment to
support your effort.”
Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed
Nur Jama thanked the United States, saying, “Allow me to convey the appreciation of the Federal Government of Somalia to the
Government of the United States of America for the continued support to
Somalia’s peacebuilding process and the support for the fight against
terrorism. This support comes at a critical time for our forcesas we
boost their capabilities to combat al-Shabaab.”
The Minister was joined by Chief of
Defense Forces Brigadier General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh for the
ceremony.
The weapons, including light and heavy
machine guns, were purchased with U.S. Department of Defense funding.
They are marked and registered pursuant to the Federal Government of
Somalia’s Weapons and Ammunition Management policy, designed to account for and
control weapons within the Somali security forces and weapons captured on the
battlefield. Notification to the UN Security Council is conducted by the
Federal Government of Somalia in close coordination with the Office of Security
Cooperation of U.S. Embassy Mogadishu inaccordance with UN Security Council
resolutions.
The weapons will support SNA-Danabbattalions, including battalions currently
participating in operations in Hirshabelleand Galmudug. The weapons will
provide a significant increase in the lethality and mobility of the SNA-Danab
units participating in these operations.
– US Embassy in Mogadishu –
