Sunday March 2, 2025
‘Officials from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the Somali government attend a handover ceremony in Mogadishu, where life-saving equipment was provided to Somali security forces to enhance their ability to combat the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The event, attended by senior military and UN officials, marked a significant step in strengthening Somalia’s counter-IED operations. (UN Photo)
Mogadishu (HOL) — In the past year, nearly 600 improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have killed or injured more than 1,400 people in Somalia, underscoring the scale of the threat that continues to destabilize the country. With Al-Shabaab using roadside bombs as a primary weapon of war, Somalia’s roads remain treacherous, security forces are stretched thin, and civilians live in constant fear.
To counter this persistent danger, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has stepped in with critical support, providing specialized equipment and training to the Somali National Army (SNA). At a handover ceremony in Mogadishu, UNMAS delivered armored vehicles, route search kits, medical hardware, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) equipment, and training-of-trainers (ToT) kits. The event also marked the graduation of 51 newly trained SNA EOD and route search specialists, a move aimed at strengthening Somalia’s ability to locate and neutralize IEDs.
“Given the nature of the IED threat here in Somalia, it’s essential that we sustain the capabilities of the national security forces, particularly as we consider the gradual withdrawal of the African Union forces,” said UNMAS Director Ilene Cohn during the ceremony.
Somalia’s State Minister of Defence Omar Ali Abdi, alongside Deputy Chief of Defence Forces General Madey Nurey, accepted the equipment on behalf of the Somali government.
“We need more training and equipment because we are engaged in a bitter war with an enemy that relies on mines as a weapon of choice. These devices slow our advances, and overcoming them is critical to liberating more areas,” Abdi said, referring to Al-Shabaab’s extensive use of IEDs.
Also in attendance was Raisedon Zenenga, the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, who stressed the importance of long-term capacity building.
“The UN is creating real, tangible capacity on the ground in EOD and IED clearance. Our goal is to ensure these capabilities remain long after UNMAS, UNTMIS, and UNSOS have exited,” Zenenga said.
IEDs remain one of the most significant obstacles to Somalia’s security and development. Al-Shabaab routinely targets military convoys, government officials, and critical infrastructure, disrupting efforts to stabilize liberated areas. The group’s reliance on these devices has forced Somali forces and their international allies to adapt, placing increasing emphasis on counter-IED operations.
Since 2021, UNMAS has trained and equipped 51 SNA EOD teams. The Somali Police Force has also benefited from similar training programs funded by the Government of Japan, leading to the establishment of 21 police EOD teams capable of responding to explosive threats in urban areas.
“While significant progress has been made, our work is far from over. There is much more to be done, not only in training teams but also in establishing a sustainable, Somali-led EOD capacity to manage these threats,” said UNMAS Somalia Chief Fran O’Grady.
Beyond training and equipping forces, UNMAS provides technical and policy advice to the Somali government, helping it meet its international obligations under treaties such as the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines.
While counter-IED operations are essential, security analysts warn that Somalia’s long-term stability depends on more than just bomb disposal. Al-Shabaab’s ability to manufacture and deploy explosives is deeply linked to the country’s broader challenges—poverty, weak governance, and radicalization.
For any counter-IED strategy to succeed, it must go beyond security operations to include community engagement, intelligence-sharing, and economic development. Encouraging local communities to report suspicious activity and restricting access to bomb-making materials are crucial steps.
Laptops, training kits, and protective gear are displayed at a handover ceremony in Mogadishu, where the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) provided life-saving equipment to Somali security forces. The donation, which includes explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) gear and training-of-trainers kits, aims to enhance Somalia’s capacity to counter the growing threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). CREDIT / UNTMIS
