Most of Somalia’s military and security forces have been addressed in detail in the EASO COI Report Somalia: Actors (July 2021),108 and integrated into the subsequent EASO COI Report Somalia: Security Situation (September 2021),109 EUAA COI Report Somalia: Security Situation (February 2023),110 EUAA COI Report Somalia: Security Situation (May 2025),111 and the EUAA COI query response on Somalia: Major political, security, and humanitarian developments (13 August 2025).112
During the reference period, the FGS Security Forces comprised the Somali National Army (SNA)113 (including the functionally separate US-trained Danab Brigade and Turkish-trained Gorgor Brigade),114 the Somali Police Force (SPF)115 (including its rapid response unit Goodir116 and the Türkiye-trained117 Haramcad elite police unit118), and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).119 The SNA, commanded by Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud who replaced Odowaa Yusuf Rage in January 2026,120 has been described as being affected by lack of experience and poor training of personnel.121
At regional level, Somaliland armed forces122 and Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn - Khatumo (SSC-K) forces123 where operating in their respective areas in the north. Each of the federal member states – Puntland,124 Jubbaland,125 the South-West State,126 Hirshabelle,127 and Galmudug,128 – maintained their own regional security forces.
Moreover, there were dozens of clan and sub clan militias in Somalia.129 For developments concerning Ma’awisley clan militia forces, see the EUAA COI query response on Somalia: Major political, security, and humanitarian developments (13 August 2025).130 For general background information on clan militias, see the EASO COI report Somalia: Actors (July 2021).131
The multidimensional AU-led and UN-approved African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) succeeded the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on 1 January 2025132 with a mandated ceiling of 11 826 uniformed personnel. During the reference period, serious financial shortfalls impeded AUSSOM’s ability to effectively implement its mandate of supporting Somalia’s security transition,133 including through participation in counter-Al-Shabaab operations.134 Meanwhile, in December 2025, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2809 (2025) which extended the mission’s mandate until 31 December 2026 and authorised AU member states to continue deploying uniformed personnel at the mandated strength.135 The reference period further saw the first confirmed instance of Turkish ground forces directly participating in combat against Al-Shabaab,136 while Türkiye also deployed three F-16 fighter jets,137 helicopters,138 and modern battle tanks to Mogadishu.139 Egypt, which had thus far only sent military gear, deployed 1 091 soldiers to Mogadishu in February 2026 to take part in AUSSOM operations.140 Both Egypt and Sudan provided training for Somali intelligence officers. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, Kenya and the UAE cooperated with and assisted Somaliland, Puntland and Jubbaland in security matters.141
Al-Shabaab. See section 1.2.2. Al-Shabaab control areas, presence, and influence above.
Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) elements were concentrated in Bari region’s Cal Miskad mountains. The group primarily uses IEDs to attack security forces.142 As of December 2025, Abdul Qadir Mumin remained the leader of the organisation, with Abdurahman Fahiye his deputy.143 In July 2025, the group’s third most senior member was captured in a joint Puntland-US operation.144 While at the start of Puntland’s US- and UAE-supported145 anti-ISS operation Hilaac in December 2024, ISS had an estimated strength of about 1 000146 – 1 200 fighters,147 their numbers had been decimated to around 200 to 300 fighters by late 2025148 as a result of killings and captures of fighters.149 Nevertheless, a UN report estimated that the group had maintained ‘significant capacity for resilience’, operating in highly mobile cells and using deep hideouts, caves and smuggling routes to sustain its presence.150 Puntland forces continued security operations against ISS during the reference period,151 supported by US airstrikes,152 the UAE and regional countries.153
- 108
EASO, Country of Origin Information Report on Somalia: Actors, July 2021, url, pp. 58-67
- 109
EASO, Country of Origin Information Report on Somalia: Security Situation, September 2021, url, pp. 24-26
- 110
EUAA, Country of Origin information Report on Somalia: Security Situation, February 2023, url, pp. 31-34
- 111
EUAA, Country of Origin information Report on Somalia: Security Situation, May 2025, url, pp. 27-33
- 112
EUAA, Country of Origin Information query response on Somalia: Major political, security, and humanitarian developments, 13 August 2025, url, pp. 13-14
- 113
Gaid, S., A new way forward is needed for Somalia, TNH, 15 December 2025, url
- 114
Barise, M. et al., Strategic Determinants of Military Effectiveness in Fragile States: The Case of Somalia, 15 October 2025, url, p. 5620
- 115
AUSSOM, AUSSOM Hails Somali Police Force at 82, Reaffirms Continued Support, 20 December 2025, url
- 116
Goobjoog, Somalia Marks 10 Years of Goodir Rapid Unit, a Symbol of Urban Security and Sacrifice, 22 July 2025, url
- 117
Bryden, M., Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State [Map], Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 17 November 2025, url, p. 9
- 118
Wardheer News, Mutiny by Haramcad Forces Disrupts Traffic in Mogadishu Amid Salary Dispute, 6 July 2025, url
- 119
Hiiraan Online, Somali intelligence kills senior Al-Shabab leader linked to major 2025 attacks, 4 March 2026, url; LWJ, Somali intelligence claims death of senior Shabaab leader, 3 January 2026, url
- 120
Kaab TV, Somalia Appoints New National Army Commander, 29 January 2026, url
- 121
International Crisis Group, Helping Somalia Move Beyond a Shaky Status Quo, 16 October 2025, url, p. 3
- 122
Horn Tribune (The), Modern Military Academies: The Key to Shaping the Future Strength of Somaliland’s National Forces, 10 September 2025, url
- 123
Somali Dialogue Platform, SSC-Khaatumo: Perspectives on the significance and implications of its formation, RVI, December 2025, url, p. 26
- 124
SMN, Puntland Regional Forces Seize Key ISIS Positions in Bari Mountains: Officials, 27 August 2025, url
- 125
Kenya Times (The), [X], posted on: 30 August 2025, url
- 126
Dawan, Somalia Pledges Pay Parity for South West Darawish, National Army, 13 April 2026, url
- 127
Hiiraan Online, Two militias arrested after attack on Hirshabelle security forces in Middle Shabelle region, 17 October 2025, url
- 128
Hiiraan Online, Galmudug forces kill Al-Shabaab commanders in coordinated Mudug raid, 24 July 2025, url
- 129
EUAA analysis based on publicly available ACLED data. ACLED, Data Export Tool, Somalia, data covering 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, as of 16 April 2026, url
- 130
EUAA, Country of Origin Information query response on Somalia: Major political, security, and humanitarian developments, 13 August 2025, url, p. 14
- 131
EASO, Country of Origin Information Report on Somalia: Actors, July 2021, url, pp. 52-55
- 132
AUSSOM, About AUSSOM, n.d., url
- 133
UNSG, Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia, S/2025/613, 30 September 2025, url, para. 58, 76
- 134
Gaid, S., A new way forward is needed for Somalia, TNH, 15 December 2025, url
- 135
UN Security Council, Resolution 2809 (2025) Adopted by the Security Council at its 10078th meeting, on 23 December 2025, S/RES/2809 (2025), 23 December 2025, url, para. 11-12
- 136
Mohammed, S., Turkey’s Somalia Policy Enters a Kinetic New Chapter, Horn Review, 2 February 2026, url
- 137
MEE, Turkey deploys F-16 jets to Somalia as it strengthens economic ties, 29 January 2026, url
- 138
Bloomberg, Turkey Deploys F-16s in Somalia to Step Up Strikes on Al-Shabaab, 30 January 2026, url
- 139
SG, Turkey sends battle tanks to Somalia amid rising Al-Shabaab insurgency, 15 February 2026, url
- 140
DW, Why is Egypt bolstering ties with Somalia now?, 14 February 2026, url
- 141
Bryden, M., Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State [Map], Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 17 November 2025, url, p. 9
- 142
Hiraal Institute, Somalia Security Situation: Comprehensive Assessment, February 2026, url, pp. 21, 24
- 143
UN Security Council, Thirty-seventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, S/2026/44, 4 February 2026, url, para. 36
- 144
Hiraal Institute, Somalia Security Situation: Comprehensive Assessment, February 2026, url, p. 21
- 145
Levy, I., How the Small Autonomous Region of Puntland Found Success in Battling Islamic State In Somalia, 7 April 2025, American University, 7 April 2025, url
- 146
UN Security Council, Report of the Panel of Experts on Somalia pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023), S/2025/777, 28 November 2025, url, para. 43
- 147
Hiraal Institute, Somalia Security Situation: Comprehensive Assessment, February 2026, url, p. 21
- 148
UN Security Council, Thirty-seventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, S/2026/44, 4 February 2026, url, para. 35
- 149
Hiraal Institute, Somalia Security Situation: Comprehensive Assessment, February 2026, url, p. 21
- 150
UN Security Council, Thirty-seventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, S/2026/44, 4 February 2026, url, para. 36
- 151
International Crisis Group, Crisis
- 152
BBC, 'We will go wherever they hide': Rooting out IS in Somalia, 16 March 2026, url
- 153
Security Council Report, December 2025 Monthly Forecast Somalia, 30 November 2025, url