MOGADISHU — The Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag), has officially graduated the 5th Battalion of the Somali Darawiish Forces, following the completion of an advanced military training programme focused on high-risk operations, weapons management, and the protection of human rights.
The training also covered combat ethics, military discipline, the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected civilians and troops, and effective operations in various challenging environments.
The training programme is part of broader efforts to enhance the quality and capacity of the Somali Police Force, ensuring they become a cohesive and disciplined force capable of protecting public safety, order, and security.
Minister Fartaag addressed the graduating troops, urging them to uphold the honour and ethics of the armed forces, respect the law, and carry out their national duties with integrity and responsibility.
The Somali Police Force has initiated an advanced training curriculum for specialized units of the Police Dervish (Daraawiish) force, aimed at enhancing law enforcement capabilities and improving security response measures. The program, launched by Police Commander Major General Asad Osman Abdullahi, focuses on contemporary counter-terrorism methods, advanced combat techniques, and operational protocols while prioritizing adherence to both national legislation and international human rights norms.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama commended the European Union’s pivotal role in Somalia’s stabilization during the inaugural federal-level Darawish graduation ceremony, with the newly graduated Darawish officers trained under the EUCAP Somalia program. Since 2025, EUCAP Somalia has trained over 400 federal Darawish officers, including dozens of women, through multiple training cycles.
Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi, the Commissioner of the Somali Police Force (SPF), participated in a graduation ceremony in Djibouti for the 23rd cohort of Somali Police Darwish forces, highlighting the preparedness of the new officers who completed intensive training to enhance Somalia’s national security capabilities.
Expanding Somalia’s Security Forces
The graduation of the 5th Darawiish Battalion reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Somalia’s security institutions. The Darawiish forces are a specialised police unit trained to carry out high-risk operations and respond to complex security threats, including terrorist attacks and hostage situations.
The Darwish Forces have been deployed to restore peace in various regions, with Gen. Abdullahi Mire, the commander of the Darwish Forces, confirming the success of operations in Middle Shabelle and warning that “anyone who violates the peace will be held accountable.”
The Federal Government has pledged that the South West Darwish forces will receive rights equal to those of the national army following their successful reintegration, with security commanders reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing all outstanding entitlements.
Critical Note
While the graduation of the 5th Darawiish Battalion represents progress in building Somalia’s security capacity, the effectiveness of these forces will ultimately depend on their integration into the broader security architecture and their ability to operate within a framework of rule of law and respect for human rights. The training programme’s emphasis on human rights and ethical conduct is a positive development, but it must be accompanied by accountability mechanisms to ensure that violations are addressed.
Furthermore, the expansion of specialised police units must be balanced with investment in community policing and the broader criminal justice system. The Somali people, who have endured decades of conflict, deserve a police force that protects them and upholds the law, rather than one that becomes a source of fear or repression.
