Mogadishu – As Somalia advances in its journey towards self-reliance and sustainability in national security, the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) 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 Secretary-General's Acting 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.

A harrowing reality

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.

Mentoring for self-reliance

As Somalia moves towards assuming full responsibility for its security, courses such as the one starting today in Mogadishu ensure that the country’s national forces are better equipped through training, mentoring and shadowing.

Since 2020, the SNA has demonstrated a growing capacity to counter the threat posed by IEDs. This progress was possible through trainings, mentoring, and provision of specialised equipment. UNMAS provided a steady support to Somali forces, training 46 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.

To ensure long-term self-reliance of SNA, the course launched today continues this support, as 14 additional trainees will go through EOD and Route Search sessions, building on previous training from UNMAS and their operational experience.

“As we move forward, we see this ‘train-the-trainer’ course as a crucial part of continuing to build Somali capacity to handle and counter IEDs,” said Mr. Swan.

“This course marks a significant milestone, with Somali trainers for the first time training Somali students, ensuring sustainability for the SNA in responding to the threat posed by explosive hazards to communities across the country,” said Fran O'Grady, Chief of UNMAS in Somalia.

UNMAS, in collaboration with the United Kingdom and the United States governments, continues to support the SNA in promoting long-term self-reliance in IED risk mitigation.

Also present today were the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of the Somali National Army, General Madey Nurey Sheikh, representatives from the Central Monitoring Department in the Office of National Security, various members of the Somali military corps, and officials from other UN and international partner organisations.

General Madey Nurey Sheikh expressed pride in the SNA's capability to conduct its own training.

“Our gratitude goes out to the UN and international partners for their efforts to support the SNA,” he said.

UNMAS support in Somalia

In Somalia, UNMAS ensures that people are safer and more secure due to the increased ability of Somali national authorities and security services to reduce the threat posed by explosive ordnance, including IEDs.

Since 2009, UNMAS Somalia has supported the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), now the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), by delivering tailored training in explosive-threat mitigation and carrying out pre- and post-deployment briefings. As an integrated component of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), UNMAS leads initiatives critical to the successful transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali security forces.