MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially opened the new headquarters of the Reconnaissance and Intelligence Command of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), a key milestone in the country's efforts to modernize its security apparatus and intensify the fight against terrorism.
Held in the capital, Mogadishu, the inauguration ceremony drew top security officials including Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, State Minister of Defence Omar Ali Abdi, and Chief of Defence Forces General Odowa Yusuf Rage, alongside senior military commanders.
The facility is designed to boost Somalia’s capacity for intelligence collection, analysis, and strategic action, particularly against Al-Shabaab, which remains the country’s most persistent security threat. The development is part of broader reforms aimed at preparing the SNAF to assume full national security responsibility as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) prepares for a full withdrawal by the end of 2024.
“Every success we achieve is a testament to the resilience of the Somali people and the valour of our armed forces,” President Mohamud said at the event, emphasizing the need to strengthen national intelligence structures to consolidate recent military gains.
Following the ceremony, President Mohamud visited the Ministry of Defence, where he received a detailed briefing on the military’s recent advances in the Galguduud and Lower Shabelle regions areas long considered critical strongholds for Al-Shabaab.
Supported by local militias and international partners, Somali troops have recaptured key villages and disrupted major militant supply routes. These operations are part of the second phase of the government’s offensive to dismantle insurgent networks and reclaim territory.
Security analysts highlight the strategic importance of these regions, noting their role in Al-Shabaab’s logistics and financial operations. Effective clearance of these areas is expected to deal a significant blow to the group’s operational capability.
As Somalia edges closer to taking full control of its security, it continues to engage diplomatically with international allies including the African Union, United States, and Türkiye. These partnerships are focused on strengthening troop training, improving tactical reconnaissance, and enhancing aerial surveillance capabilities.
President Mohamud’s administration has repeatedly underscored the importance of a robust intelligence infrastructure in ensuring long-term stability and preventing extremist resurgence post-ATMIS.
With the launch of the new intelligence headquarters, Somalia signals a renewed commitment to professionalizing its military and reinforcing its sovereignty through homegrown, technology-driven solutions.