In a groundbreaking collaboration between Kenya Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Brazilian Jungle Warfare Mobile Training Team (JWMTT), both serving under MONUSCO, have initiated a rigorous three-week jungle warfare training course in the heart of Beni, Eastern DRC.
The crash occurred in Lamu County, situated along the coastal region of Kenya. The cause of the crash remains unclear at this early stage of investigation.
Kenyan defense forces operate in the area to combat the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group, which is based across the border in Somalia.
The Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that the Air Force helicopter crashed during a night patrol mission. In response to the tragic event, a Board of Inquiry has been promptly constituted and dispatched to the crash site to ascertain the underlying cause of the incident, as stated in an official statement.Sources within the security apparatus, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization, disclosed to The Associated Press that all military personnel and crew members aboard the helicopter lost their lives in the crash. However, the DoD, while expressing condolences to the families of the crew, did not disclose the exact number of casualties.
Kenyan troops have been actively involved in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission, aimed at combating al-Shabab. The deployment of Kenyan forces to Somalia dates back to 2011; however, plans are now underway to withdraw multinational forces as Somali troops gradually assume responsibility for their country’s security.
Al-Shabab, the group operating in Somalia, has intensified its attacks in Kenya in recent months. The border region has witnessed numerous casualties as a result of these attacks, as the rebels face mounting pressure from a military offensive launched by Somali forces last year, subsequent to the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in May.
The funding was unveiled during a recent meeting between Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, and the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, during her visit to Somalia last week.
This new funding further strengthens the UK’s substantial contributions to the UNSOS Trust Fund, which provides non-lethal logistical support to the Somalia Security Forces (SSF).
The support includes provisions such as food, shelter, and lifesaving medevac assistance. The UK’s financial commitment will not only aid ongoing operations against the al-Shabaab group but also assist the Somalia Security Forces in building their capacity as they assume greater responsibility for maintaining security within the country.Dame Sarah MacIntosh, the Deputy National Security Adviser, emphasized the importance of the UK and Somalia’s security partnership in bringing stability and security to Somalia and the wider region.
She reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Somalia-led efforts in combating terrorism and restoring stability in areas recaptured from extremist control.
The collaboration between the UK and Somalia encompasses various sectors, including security, economic development, and humanitarian aid, with the shared goal of fostering a more stable and secure Somalia.
Significant progress has been made in Somalia over the past decade, but the international community must continue to provide steadfast support for the country’s pursuit of a sustainable, affordable, and accountable security sector. The transition from externally provided security assistance to Somali-led security forces remains a collective objective.
The UK’s bilateral support to Somalia in the fight against al-Shabaab is comprehensive. The UK is a partner of both the Somali Security Forces and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia through the UNSOS Trust Fund.
Since 2022, the UK has committed over £10 million in support of the Somali Security Forces via the UNSOS Trust Fund.
Additionally, the UK has provided bilateral voluntary contributions amounting to over £47 million since 2022 for military stipends to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), further demonstrating its commitment to Somalia’s security and stability.
The collaboration between the two nations across various sectors is instrumental in advancing security, economic prosperity, and development, ultimately contributing to a more stable and secure Somalia.
Burundian ATMIS contingents withdrew in the following FOBs .
Adele
Xaji ali
Ceel-baraf
Miir-taqwo
Warshiiq
Biyo-cade
This means ATMIS left the whole area of Eastern Middle Shabeelle.
Satellite imagery of ATMIS vacated Military FOBs in the middle Shabelle.
Good news: News from the confidants on the battle ground reveal that Somali army forces have seized Amara town,Galgaduud region from Al Shabab militants on this Monday afternoon.
Alshabaab claimed they totally destroyed a convoy of ENDF army travelling from Western somali region to Wajid city of Bakol region. The attacked ENDF army was in a temporary night š camp in side enemy territories after a long match of yesterday.
AlShabaab released 120+ photos of yesterday's deadly ambush on Ethiopian military convoy near Rabdhure town, Bakol region.Photographic evidence shows Ethiopian Military suffered one of its most significant loss yesterday in Somalia.A Captured ENDF soldier, BTR IVF, Mounted gunships Ural truck, & too many dead soldiers in an open field are indicators the ENDF Battalion were poor campers/greenhorns.This published aftermath of yesterday ambush against #ENDF forces outskirts of Rabdhure as showing in the pictures what happened outskirts of #Rabdhure was massacre not ambush or assault.
However,the Ethiopian government has rejected claims made by the al-Shabab group, stating that it killed 167 Ethiopian troops in an ambush attack in Somalia's southwestern Bakool region early on Sunday.
Ethiopia's ambassador to Somalia, Mukhtar Mohamed Waare, who spoke to the local media on Saturday, described the group's claim as false and baseless.
"They can try to attack the Ethiopian army, but they cannot engage in a fight with the Ethiopian defence forces for even 10 minutes. This army is highly professional, well-equipped, and organized. Whenever they confront the enemy, they deliver a decisive blow. Therefore, this is nothing more than propaganda against Ethiopia and the Ethiopian defence forces," Ambassador Waare said.
The ambassador also refuted reports suggesting that the Ethiopian troops attacked in Bakool were not part of the ATMIS mission and had entered Somalia illegally.
"We are in Somalia with the approval of the African Union and the international community, aiming to support the legitimate government of Somalia and its efforts to bring peace to this country. So, these claims by al-Shabab are nothing but propaganda," Ambassador Mukhtar emphasized.
The ambush targeted two convoys, one travelling from the Somali town of Yeed to Wajid and the second convoy as it travelled from El Barde to Huddur. Ethiopian troops have bases in Wajid and Huddur. A Somali official said local forces were accompanying the convoy en route to Huddur from El Barde.
The mayor of Huddur, Omar Abdullahi Mohamud, said that heavy fighting erupted in the area between Ethiopian troops and the militants, resulting in the deaths of 50 militants. However, in a statement, the group claimed it killed 167 Ethiopian soldiers, destroyed military vehicles, and seized a cache of weapons and ammunitions
Despite all the claims from both alshabaab and the Ethiopian Gorvenment,the security chiefs must be aware that this thing of publishing photos and videos is well calculated strategy by the terrorists.The current counter insurgency operations in the Horn require recalibration.Al-QÄeda affiliate al-ShabÄab al-MujÄhidÄ«n surge is now a threat to regional security & stability.Heavy losses of militarily hardware, troops is abnormal and indirectly a way of arming terrorists.
A regional meeting for the security chiefs must be called to address this terror (propaganda and psychological take) very fast otherwise we may see a massive flow of vulnerable youth into the ranks of Alshabaab.
