Security forces

Daud Abdulle Hirsi (Daa'uud Cabdulle Xirsi)Daud Abdulle Hirsi (1925–1965), the first commander of the Somali National Army: early life, police career, his role after independence, and how he is remembered.
Mohamed Ali Samatar (Maxamed Cali Samatar)Mohamed Ali Samatar (1931–2016): army commander, defence minister, vice-president and prime minister under Siad Barre, and the US case Samantar v. Yousuf.
Salaad Gabeyre KediyeSalaad Gabeyre Kediye (1933–1972): army officer, a leader of the 1969 takeover, member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, arrested in 1971 and executed in 1972.
Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (Cabdullaahi Axmed Cirro)Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (1937–2022): his training in Cairo and Moscow, the capture of Godey in 1977, his arrest after the 1978 coup attempt, and his later work teaching strategy.
The Somalia affair: Canadian troops in Beledweyne, 1993The Somalia affair: the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Beledweyne in 1992–1993, the killings of Achmed Aruush and Shidane Arone, the trials, the regiment's disbandment and the public inquiry.
Belgian and Italian troops in Somalia, 1993: the abuse casesThe abuse cases against Belgian paratroopers in Kismayo and Italian troops in 1993, revealed in 1997: the photographs, the trials, the generals' resignations and the Gallo commission's findings.
Mohamed Said Hersi 'Morgan' (Maxamed Siciid Xirsi Moorgan)Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan (1949–2025): northern commander, last defence minister of the central government, Kismayo in the 1990s, later Puntland adviser.
Baledogle airfield (Wanlaweyn)Baledogle (Wanlaweyn) airfield: Somalia's largest military air base, from the 1970s Soviet build to the 2026 US withdrawal, with sources.
Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (Cumar Xaaji Masalle)Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (1934–2014): army officer and defence minister, leader of the Somali National Front in Gedo, the fight with al-Itihaad, and the Sodere agreement.
AMISOM, the African Union Mission in Somalia, 2007–2022AMISOM, 2007–2022: mandate, troop contributors and numbers, commanders, main operations, losses, funding and the record of abuses, until it became ATMIS.
Yusuf Mohamed Siad 'Indha Adde' (Indhacadde)Yusuf Mohamed Siad 'Indha Adde': Lower Shabelle, defence chief of the Islamic Courts in 2006, Hizbul Islam, and state minister for defence in 2009–2010.
Asli Hassan Abade (Asli Xasan Cabaade)Asli Hassan Abade (born 1958), Somalia's pioneering air force pilot: her training, first solo flight in 1976, career, peace campaigning and later life, from the sources.
ATMIS, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, 2022–2024ATMIS, 2022–2024: why it was created, its drawdown in phases, the bases handed over, the attacks on its camps, and the move to AUSSOM.
AUSSOM, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, 2025 to nowAUSSOM, the AU mission since January 2025: how it was approved, its size and troop allocations, Egypt and Ethiopia, Burundi's exit, and the funding gap.
Mohamud Muse Hersi "Adde Muse" (Maxamuud Muuse Xirsi "Cadde")Mohamud Muse Hersi (Adde Muse, 1937–2017): army general, Sanaag governor, SSDF commander and Puntland president 2005–2009, from Somali and international sources.
Commanders of the Somali army since 1960 (Taliyaha Ciidanka Xoogga)Every commander of the Somali armed forces since 1960, with their dates: the Republic, the military government, the transitional government and the federal government.
Foreign forces in SomaliaWhich foreign states have deployed or trained forces in Somalia since 2006: Ethiopia, Kenya, the United States, Turkey, the UAE, Egypt, Eritrea and others, from the sources.
Turkey's military in Somalia: Camp TURKSOM, drones and the sea pactTurkey's military role in Somalia since 2017: the TURKSOM base and the units it trains, armed drones and helicopters, the 2024 defence pact and navy, troop mandates, and the offshore oil link.
The United Arab Emirates' military in SomaliaThe UAE's military role in Somalia: the Puntland maritime police, training and pay for federal units, the 2018 break, bases at Bosaso and Berbera, air strikes in Puntland, the 2024 attack and the 2026 cancellation.
The United States military in Somalia: AFRICOM, Baledogle and DanabThe US military in Somalia since 2007: Africa Command, the Baledogle airfield, the Danab brigade it trains, troop numbers, the 2020 withdrawal and 2022 return, and the 2024 bases agreement.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia: Gulf military support to SomaliaQatar's and Saudi Arabia's military support to Somalia: armoured vehicles in 2019, Somali soldiers trained in Doha, and the 2026 defence agreements, set against the Gulf rivalries.
Somaliland armed forces (Ciidanka Qaranka Somaliland)Somaliland's army, coast guard and police: how they were formed after 1991, their size and budget, leaders, how they counter al-Shabaab, and the conflicts in the east.
Puntland's security forces: Darawiish, PSF, PMPF and policePuntland's forces explained: the Darawiish, the US-backed Puntland Security Force, the maritime police, intelligence and police, their leaders, and Operation Hilaac.
Jubaland security forces (Darawiish)Jubaland's security forces: the Darawiish, their roots in the Raskamboni movement, the 2013 agreement, and the 2024–2025 clashes with federal forces at Ras Kamboni and in Gedo.
State forces of Galmudug, Hirshabelle and South WestThe security forces of Galmudug, Hirshabelle and South West State: their Darawiish and police, the National Security Architecture, the Galkacyo joint force, Barawe in 2023, and 2026 pay talks.
Egypt's military in Somalia: the 2024 pact and AUSSOMEgypt's military role in Somalia: the August 2024 agreement, arms flights and special forces, Ethiopia's objections, the 2025 strategic partnership, and Egypt's planned AUSSOM contingent.
The British Military Administration of Somalia, 1941 to 1950British military rule in former Italian Somaliland, 1941–1950: the Somalia Gendarmerie and police academy, the rise of the Somali Youth League, the Four Power Commission, the 1948 riots, the Ogaden handover and the end of British rule.
Ethiopia's military in Somalia since 2006Ethiopia's military role in Somalia: the 2006–2009 intervention, the Mogadishu fighting of 2007 and Human Rights Watch's findings, troops inside and outside the AU missions, and the 2024 crisis.
Kenya's military in Somalia: Linda Nchi, AMISOM and El AddeKenya's military role in Somalia since 2011: Operation Linda Nchi, Kismayo, the AU missions, the El Adde and Kulbiyow attacks, the 2016 air strikes in Gedo, and UN findings on the charcoal trade.
The UK and the EU in Somalia: EUTM, Atalanta and the Baidoa training centreThe UK's and the EU's military role in Somalia: the EU training mission since 2010, the Atalanta naval operation since 2008, EU funding of the AU missions, and UK training in Baidoa.
Uganda's military in Somalia, 2007 to 2027Uganda's military role in Somalia: the first AU troops in 2007, the largest contingent through AMISOM, ATMIS and AUSSOM, losses, the Golweyn court martial, and the 2026–2027 withdrawal.
Burundi's military in Somalia, 2007 to 2025Burundi's military role in Somalia: the 2007 arrival, its contingent in AMISOM and ATMIS, losses, the 2016–2017 allowances dispute with the EU, and its exit from the AU mission in 2025.
Eritrea and Somalia: sanctions, the 2018 thaw and the recruits trained in EritreaEritrea's military relations with Somalia: the 2009 UN sanctions over support to armed groups, their lifting in 2018, and the about 5,000 Somali recruits trained in Eritrea from 2019 to 2022.
The offensive against al-Shabaab and the Macawisley, 2022–2025The 2022–2025 campaign against al-Shabaab: how the Macawisley clan fighters rose, what was retaken, why the second phase stalled, and al-Shabaab's 2025 return.
Djibouti's military in Somalia since 2011Djibouti's military role in Somalia: its first AMISOM troops in December 2011, its sector around Beledweyne in Hiiraan, battalion rotations, and its place in AUSSOM.
Naval missions off Somalia: Ocean Shield, CTF-151, China's escorts and Djibouti's basesThe international naval missions against piracy off Somalia since 2008: NATO's Ocean Shield, Combined Task Force 151, China's escort fleets, and the foreign bases in Djibouti that support them.
US air strikes in SomaliaUS air strikes in Somalia since 2007: who they targeted, how often, the 2017 rule change, Amnesty International's 2019 findings, AFRICOM's response and admissions, and the 2025 rise.
Somali National Army (Xoogga Dalka Soomaaliyeed)The Somali National Army today: history since 1960, divisions and special units (Danab, Gorgor), size, who trains and pays it, equipment, and its war with al-Shabaab.
The French raid on Bulo Marer, January 2013The French DGSE raid on Bulo Marer on 12 January 2013 to free the hostage Denis Allex: the kidnapping, the raid, the dead, US support, al-Shabaab's claims and the Somali government's reaction.
The UN arms embargo on Somalia, 1992–2023The UN arms embargo on Somalia from 1992 to 2023: resolution 733, the sanctions committee and monitoring group, the 2013 easing, the 2023 lifting for the government, and the debate around it.
National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA)NISA, Somalia's intelligence agency since 2013: what it does, its directors, special units Gaashaan and Waran, foreign support, the Ikran Tahlil case, and rights reports.
Odowaa Yusuf Rageh (Odowaa Yuusuf Raage)Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, twice commander of the Somali National Army (2019/2020–2023 and 2024–2026): training, the 2020 attack on his convoy, his two terms and his replacement.
Somali Police Force (Booliska Soomaaliyeed)The Somali Police Force since 1960: its origins, first commander, the Darawishta, collapse in 1991, rebuilding, the Haramcad unit, training partners and size today.
Somali NavyThe Somali Navy: founding with Soviet help in 1964, collapse in 1991, re-establishment in 2009, and the 2024 ten-year agreement with Turkey to rebuild it.
Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow (Ibraahim Sheekh Muxyidiin Addow)Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow, commander of the Somali National Army from June 2023 to November 2024: earlier career in the army and the presidential guard, his appointment and his dismissal.
Somali Air Force (Ciidanka Cirka Soomaaliyeed)The Somali Air Force from the Aeronautical Corps of the 1950s to today: its Soviet-era fleet, the Ogaden war, 1988 bombing of the north, collapse in 1991, and rebuilding since 2015.
Ahmed Mohamed Hassan (Ahmed Dheere), the pilot who refused to bomb HargeisaAhmed Mohamed Hassan (Ahmed Dheere), the Somali Air Force pilot who refused the 1988 order to bomb Hargeisa: the order, his flight to Djibouti, exile, and the honours he later received.
Somaliland Camel Corps (1914–1944)The Somaliland Camel Corps, 1914–1944: the Camel Constabulary and Dul Madoba, the 1920 campaign against the Dervishes, the defence of Tug Argan in 1940, and its end.
Somaliland Police Force (Ciidanka Booliska Somaliland)Somaliland's police: how the force was re-formed after 1991, its size, units, weapons and commissioners, outside support, the Custodial Corps, and human rights reporting.
Yusuf Abdi Ali (Tukeh)Yusuf Abdi Ali (Tukeh), commander of the Somali army's Fifth Brigade in 1987–1988: the 2019 US civil verdict, his defence, the 2024 immigration ruling and his removal to Somalia.
Somali troops under Italian rule: the Royal Corps of Somali Colonial Troops, 1908 to 1941The Royal Corps of Somali Colonial Troops under Italian rule from 1908 to 1941: its founding, the zaptié and dubat, the Walwal clash of 1934, the war with Ethiopia and the end of Italian rule.
Demobilisation and the programme for disengaged combatantsHow Somalia has demobilised fighters: militia hand-overs in 2007, the 2013 national programme for people leaving al-Shabaab, screening, the Serendi centre, amnesty offers, children, and the debate.
The Somali armed forces, 1960–1991The national army 1960–1991: founding, Soviet then US support, the 1969 coup, the Ogaden war, growth to over 100,000, units, conscription, and the break-up in 1991.
The 1982 Ethiopian–Somali border war (Dagaalkii xuduudda 1982)The 1982 border war: the Ethiopian and SSDF advance into Mudug and Hiiraan, the fighting at Balanbale and Galdogob, foreign arms, losses as each side reported them, and what followed.
UN Monitoring Group on SomaliaThe UN Monitoring Group on Somalia: its mandate under the arms embargo, how it worked, and what its July 2012 report found on corruption, al-Shabaab, piracy, arms flows and private security.
The Landshut hijacking and the Mogadishu airport rescue, October 1977The hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 181 (the Landshut) in October 1977 and the West German GSG 9 rescue at Mogadishu airport, carried out with the Somali government's consent.
Deaths in armed conflict in Somalia by year, 1989–2026Reported deaths from armed conflict in Somalia each year from 1989 to 2026, from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, with what each period covers and the limits of the data.
Ethiopia and Somalia at war: a timeline, 1527 to 2026A timeline of wars and armed confrontations between Ethiopia and Somalia, from Adal in the 16th century through 1964, 1977, 1982 and 2006, to the 2024 crisis, with links to each full page.

Security forces

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