New reports suggest that al-Shabaab may have quietly penetrated Somalia’s National Army (SNA).
This raises alarms about internal security as the country accelerates its transition to full responsibility from the African Union peacekeeping mission.
al-Shabaab Penetrated the SNA – Key Facts:
- Insider Threats: Intelligence sources claim that a “small but dangerous” network of sleeper cells is operating inside certain SNA units, allegedly feeding troop movements and operational plans to the extremist group.
- Recent Incidents: A string of green-on-blue attacks, including the fatal shooting of a senior commander in Galmudug and sabotage of military vehicles in Hiiraan, has fueled speculation that militants have embedded loyalists in logistics and recruitment chains.
- Recruitment Loopholes: Analysts blame rapid enlistment drives, weak vetting procedures, and clan-based patronage for creating security gaps al-Shabaab can exploit.
Government response on the Suspicions that al-Shabaab Penetrated the SNA:
- Sweeping Vetting: The Defense Ministry has launched an immediate biometric re-registration of all active personnel to identify impostors.
- Counter-Intelligence Surge: A new taskforce combining the National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) and military police will focus on tracing illicit communication links and financial flows.
- Community Oversight: Local elders and civil-society groups are being encouraged to report suspicious activities within barracks, signaling a shift toward grassroots vigilance.
The claims that al-Shabaab penetrated the SNA underscore the urgent need for rigorous screening, professionalized command structures, and real-time intelligence sharing.
Success will decide whether the Somali National Army can remain a credible bulwark against al-Shabaab as international forces exit.
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