Somali Army Leaders Strengthen International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Somali Army Leaders Strengthen International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Somali National Army (SNA) Commander Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh held high-level discussions on Saturday with Gen. Abdirahman Mohamed Tuuryare, Somalia’s Representative to the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) and former NISA Director, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mogadishu.

The talks centered on strengthening the Somali National Army’s role in international counter-terrorism efforts and enhancing collaboration with global partners to ensure stability in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa.

Gen. Tuuryare briefed the Army Chief on IMCTC’s ongoing operations, which include countering extremist ideology and disrupting terrorist financing networks. He emphasized the importance of Somalia’s engagement in these efforts, especially given the persistent threat posed by foreign jihadists who continue to travel to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab and ISIS.

Over recent years, the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), in cooperation with international partners, have successfully killed and captured dozens of foreign fighters during operations in Puntland and central and southern Somalia. These joint efforts demonstrate Somalia’s growing role as a key partner in global counter-terrorism.

The meeting between Gen. Odowaa and Gen. Tuuryare underscores Somalia’s commitment to not only defeating terrorism within its borders but also contributing to the wider international fight against extremist networks.