Italy gives military aid to Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 5, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Italy has on Thursday handed over huge consignment of arms to Federal Government of Somalia as the East African country tries to fend off Al Shabaab threats, Garowe Online reports.

Military gears including-pick-up trucks, armoured fighting vehicles and bulletproof cars totalling 54-were received by Somali National Army (SNA) commander-in-Chief Gen. Dahir Adan Elmi (Indho Qarshe) at Mogadishu seaport with a senior official with Italian Defence Ministry Bernando Mencaraglia present.

Officials said, the military equipment is meant for police, armed forces and intelligence service.

Mencaraglia told journalists during the offloading of the arms consignment that the donation is part of previous pledges.

Meanwhile, Army Chief thanked Italy for its unwavering support for security apparatus.

Though Italy on various occasions provided Puntland and Somaliland with armored personnel carriers, the glittering aid marks the first for the first time in more than two decades.

UN-backed weak central government is facing tough conundrum in the fight against Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants.

Islamist insurgents target government officials and foreigners in broad day light attacks, largely in volatile Mogadishu.

Over 22, 000-strong AU peacekeepers alongside Somali government troops liberated a string of strategic town in central and southern Somalia in intense offensives in the last five years.

GAROWE ONLINE