SNA Ground Forces Commander Arrives in Dhusamareb to Accelerate Anti-Khawaarij Operations

DHUSAMAREB – The Commander of the Somali National Army’s Ground Forces, Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar (Gen. Khalid), has arrived in Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug State, for high-level meetings with military commanders as the Federal Government accelerates security preparations for the region’s historic one-person, one-vote elections scheduled for July 25, 2026.

The commander was received at Ugaas Noor Airport by senior officers from the Somali National Army’s 21st Division before being escorted to the Military Command Center, where he held discussions with military commanders. The meetings focused on accelerating ongoing operations against Khawaarij militants in Galmudug, improving coordination among security forces, and enhancing the Somali army’s responsibilities in securing the region ahead of the vote.

Securing Galmudug’s Historic Elections

General Khalid’s visit comes as Galmudug prepares for its first-ever one-person, one-vote elections, marking a historic shift from the clan-based power-sharing system that has long characterised Somali politics. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has confirmed that 215,860 individuals have been successfully enrolled and issued voting cards across the Galgaduud and Mudug regions.

The electoral commission has held discussions with security officials to ensure the safety of polling stations and the overall electoral process. General Khalid’s visit is focused on assessing the operational readiness of frontline troops, inspecting military positions, reviewing logistics and supply lines, and coordinating battle plans with senior commanders and Galmudug authorities ahead of the offensive. The NIEBC has rejected calls from political parties to delay the vote, citing the need to adhere to the electoral calendar.

Political Context and Security Concerns

The military deployment comes amid a backdrop of political tension and controversy surrounding the Galmudug elections. Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor) withdrew from the presidential race following talks with federal officials, clearing the way for the federal government’s preferred candidate. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has designated Liban Ahmed Hassan as the sole candidate for the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), bypassing internal party competition and raising concerns about the independence of the electoral process.

The visit follows heightened political tensions between the federal government and the Galmudug administration, with a deepening rift threatening to destabilise the region. The federal government’s role in the electoral process has come under scrutiny, with critics arguing that the compressed timeline disadvantages candidates who lack resources and federal backing.

A Decisive Phase in the Campaign

Security sources say additional troops, armored vehicles, weapons, and military supplies have been deployed to key locations across Galmudug in recent weeks as the government intensifies preparations for what could become one of its largest operations in central Somalia this year. The offensive is expected to target Khawaarij strongholds, disrupt the group’s command and supply networks, reopen strategic roads linking major towns, and restore government authority in areas that have remained outside state control.

The latest operation builds on the ongoing military campaign against Khawaarij, with Somali forces and international partners having intensified their offensive in recent months. The elections come after a period of intense political negotiations and a shifting political landscape, with the federal administration actively supporting structural reforms across federal member states to align regional governance with the national political timeline.

General Khalid’s arrival in Dhusamareb signals that military preparations have entered a decisive phase, with security forces expected to launch coordinated operations in the coming days as the government seeks to build on recent gains against Khawaarij militants in central Somalia. The operation forms part of Somalia’s broader national counterterrorism strategy to weaken the group’s operational capabilities and expand government control across the country.

Way Forward

The visit of the Ground Forces Commander to Dhusamareb underscores the Federal Government’s determination to intensify military pressure on Khawaarij militants in central Somalia ahead of the July 25 elections. Officials hope the campaign will improve security conditions, facilitate humanitarian access, and enable displaced communities to return to their homes. Authorities have repeatedly reaffirmed that defeating the militant group remains a top national security priority.