MOGADISHU, April 12, 2025 (SMN) – Somalia on Saturday marked the 65th anniversary of its National Army, with senior government officials hailing the contributions and sacrifices of the country’s armed forces in the ongoing fight against Islamist insurgents and the defense of national sovereignty.
In a statement issued on social media, Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Jibril Abdulle Haji, extended congratulations to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Somali National Army (SNA), calling them “the backbone of Somalia’s sovereignty.”
“Since 1960, the Somali National Army has defended our people with courage and resilience,” the minister said. “We honour their sacrifice. May Allah accept the martyrs and heal the wounded. Supporting our forces is a national duty as they liberate our country from Khawarij terrorists.”
The term “Khawarij” is frequently used by Somali officials to refer to members of the al-Shabaab militant group, which has waged a violent insurgency against the federal government for over a decade.
Celebrations marking the anniversary included a military parade in Mogadishu, attended by top officials, army commanders, and members of the public. Tributes were paid to fallen soldiers, and calls were renewed for stronger support to the national forces as they continued their offensive against al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia.
The Somali National Army, founded on April 12, 1960 — ahead of the country’s independence from colonial rule — has been at the forefront of operations to reclaim territory from insurgents and stabilize regions long plagued by insecurity.
While significant territorial gains have been made in recent years with the backing of international partners, security analysts say the army remains in need of further reform, equipment, and training to effectively secure liberated areas and respond to evolving threats.
Minister Jibril reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the army and ensuring that “those who wear the uniform with pride and purpose” are equipped to fulfill their duties.
The anniversary comes at a time when Somali authorities are preparing for a phased drawdown of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), with plans to gradually hand over full security responsibility to Somali forces by the end of 2024.
