Serbia trains VIP protection soldiers for Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Serbia has trained over 60 members of the Somali National Army [SNA], who will now be incorporated in VIP protection amid increased cases of terror attacks targeting senior government officials who are assigned security in the Horn of Africa nation.

Internal Security Minister Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh and his Serbian counterpart Bratislav Gasić attended the pass-out parade as they pledged to equip the troops to protect VIPs who are vulnerable to terror attacks, including the president of the federal government of Somalia.

The trainees were drawn from the various departments of the Somali Security forces and will also contribute greatly to the security of the nation, the government said, adding that they will be reassigned soon with a special focus on keeping Al-Shabaab militants at bay whenever they attack VIPs.

On his part, Mohamed Sheikh hailed the Serbian government for offering to train the soldiers, adding that their addition is important in bolstering security in the Horn of Africa nation. The Al-Shabaab militants have been a major threat in the country but have continued to lose ground lately.

Serbia has also offered scholarships to various Somali students and also supports the Federal Government’s efforts in promoting peace, economic growth, technology, trade and investment, debt relief, health, education, and other key sectors.

Recently, the government of Somalia announced that over 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the recent operation, adding that 3,700 others were critically injured. The government is planning the second phase of the war against the militants which will target the Galmadug and HirShabelle states.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been reaching out to several countries for assistance and currently, the United States trains Danab Special Forces while Turkey has been handling Gorgor soldiers. Other countries such as Uganda, Eritrea and Djibouti have also been training Somali soldiers.

GAROWE ONLINE