Somali Army Chief Welcomes Italian Military Team for Defense Talks

MOGADISHU – General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, Commander of Somali Infantry Forces, along with senior officers from the Somali National Armed Forces, received a high-level Italian government delegation at the Military Headquarters in Mogadishu. The visiting group included the Italian Military Attaché to Somalia, demonstrating both nations’ commitment to enhancing historical defense ties and aligning security operations.

The discussions focused on boosting strategic collaboration and operational coordination between Somali and Italian military forces. Somalia and Italy have been actively deepening defence ties through high-level meetings in Rome, with Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi holding talks with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to expand collaboration in maritime security, counter-terrorism operations, and military training.

Strengthening Bilateral Military Partnership

Special attention was given to expanding bilateral support frameworks, implementing advanced training programs for ground troops, and accelerating initiatives to modernize Somalia’s defense capabilities. General Sahal and the military leadership highlighted the ground forces’ immediate priorities, stressing the importance of continued international partnerships to maintain security progress.

Italy continues to be a vital contributor to Somalia’s security sector reform efforts, offering substantial support through bilateral arrangements and the European Union Training Mission. The discussions centered on strategies to strengthen military cooperation, with a primary focus on improving the operational capabilities of the Somali National Armed Forces through expanded specialized training conducted by Italian military personnel.

The Commander of the Somali National Army has previously held high-level strategic meetings with the Defense Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Somalia, Captain (Navy) Antonino Mazzocca. During those exchanges, Somali leadership expressed deep gratitude to the Italian government for its ongoing, multifaceted support, specifically highlighting Rome’s crucial role in providing advanced tactical training, essential equipment provision, and long-term capacity-building for Somalia’s armed forces.

Ground Forces Modernization and Regional Leadership

General Sahal Abdullahi Omar has been at the forefront of advocating for the modernization of Somalia’s ground forces through advanced technology. Representing the Federal Republic of Somalia at the African Land Forces Summit 2026 held in Rome, Italy, General Sahal articulated Somalia’s evolving defense posture, specifically highlighting how the integration of advanced drone technology is fundamentally reshaping the Somali National Army’s counter-terrorism operations and battlefield dominance against militant networks.

The Commander has also been actively conducting frontline assessments to evaluate the security architecture of newly liberated zones. Executing high-level operational reviews, General Sahal conducted direct frontline inspections of military outposts across the Lower Shabelle region, integrating top-tier military leadership to reinforce troop morale, assess physical defense fortifications, and accelerate the offensive tempo against remaining militant networks.

Italy’s Commitment Under the Mattei Plan

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the Italy-Africa Summit in Addis Ababa, where he called for a shift from conventional aid to strategic partnership. The event, hosted in Addis Ababa, united African heads of state with Italian representatives to forge enhanced bilateral ties, with discussions focusing on the Mattei Plan, an Italian initiative designed to invest in fundamental sectors that promote sustained stability and development.

Both governments have expressed strong alignment under Italy’s Mattei Plan, a strategic framework designed to deepen partnerships with African nations through security, development, and institutional cooperation. Somalia is seen as a pivotal partner in the Horn of Africa, particularly in efforts to curb terrorism and secure crucial maritime routes in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea corridors.

Combat Readiness and Troop Deployment

General Sahal has formally seen off army units deploying to join ongoing nationwide operations aimed at eradicating terrorism. In his address to the troops, he encouraged them to uphold discipline and resilience, urging the soldiers to achieve decisive victories in the fight against extremist groups. The commander further instructed the forces to remain vigilant in protecting civilians, stressing their responsibility to safeguard communities and provide support to vulnerable populations during military operations.

The deployment coincides with the Somali National Army’s intensified large-scale military campaigns across various regions to eliminate terrorist presence and restore stability. The Ministry of Defense recently announced that the national army, backed by regional security forces, carried out a large-scale operation in southern provinces, killing 27 Al-Shabaab terrorists, including key members of the group.

Italian Attaché Reaffirms Support

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Italian delegation and Military Attaché thanked the Somali military leadership for their hospitality during their visit to the capital. The Italian representatives reaffirmed Rome’s ongoing commitment to providing security assistance, logistical support, and joint defense mechanisms to support the long-term stability and development of Somalia’s armed forces.

The Italian Attaché highlighted the absolute significance of achieving lasting peace and stability, noting that a highly trained and well-equipped Somali National Army is foundational not only for the nation’s immediate security but also for its long-term developmental progress. This engagement reinforces Italy’s position as a cornerstone partner in Somalia’s broader security sector reform and its ongoing transition toward assuming full national security responsibilities.