Division 43 (Somalia)

Division 43, Somali National Army (Somali: Qeybta 43aad) is a division of the Somali National Army. Focused on the southern part of the country, it is headquartered in Kismayo and covers the state of Jubaland.

Division 43
Qeybta 43aad
Flag of the Somali National Army
Active2014-present
CountrySomalia
BranchSomali National Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
HQKismayo, Somalia
EngagementsBattle of Baar-Sanguuni
Commanders
Current
commander		Gen. Ali Mohamed Mohamud (Bogmadow)

Formations and battles

The division has two major subordinate formations, the 10th Brigade (Somali: Guutada 10aad), focused on the Gedo region and Middle Juba and headquartered in Garbahaarey, and the 11th Brigade, focused on Lower Juba and headquartered in Kismayo.[1][2]

In 2018, the 11th Brigade led an offensive north to the village of Baar-Sanguuni, leading to the capture of the village and the deaths of 7 militants.[3]

In November 2021, a joint offensive in the Gedo region by the 10th Brigade led to the capture of Barwaqo and Kabis from al-Shabaab.[4]

In January 2022, Al-Shabaab militants attacked a base of the 11th Brigade in Baar-Sanguuni, which was repelled.

In March 2022, the 11th Brigade, alongside the Jubaland Darawiish conducted an operation against al-Shabaab near the village of Jamame, killing 10 militants and arresting 6 others.[5]

The division is commanded by General Aaden Kaalmooy.[6]

Corruption and political issues

Following the establishment of the Interim Juba Administration and the election of Ahmed Madobe, the Jubaland government agreed to integrate up to 1,440 fighters of various militias and of the Darawiish into Division 43 and the SNA, along with another 1,440 new recruits and independent militias in 2015. However by January 2016, it was noticed that up to 500 troops had dropped out of the integration process. While there hadn't been any official SNA forces in the division until the inauguration in July 2015 in Kismayo, SNA documents provided to the United Nations Security Council had been reporting a consistent 3,034 personnel since 2013. This money had not been accounted for.[7]

Through 2020 and 2021, elements of the federal forces and Division 43 have been at heads with the local Darawiish forces, with a battle in Balad Hawo between 700 SNA troops against the Darawiish in May 2020, and fierce battles between Jubaland forces and SNA troops again in Balad Hawo in January 2021, leading to the capture of several hundred Jubaland soldiers. Somali minister of information Osman Dubbe launched allegations that the Kenyan government was arming these militias, which they denied.[8] [9]

References
  1. Goobey, Jibril (14 March 2019). "Taliyaha CXD oo booqday Talisyaa guutada 11aad iyo Qeybta 43-aad". Idil News. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  2. "Abbaan duulaha qeybta 43-aad ee ciidanka xoogga oo tababar usoo xiray cutubyo ka tirsan ciidanka". Somali National Television. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  3. Hassan, Mohamed (18 January 2018). "Somali Army Reports Killing 7 al-Shabab Militants". Voice of America. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  4. "Howlgal wadajir ah oo ka dhacay Gedo". Taliska Qeybta43 Ciidanka Xooga Dalka Somaliyeed. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  5. "SNA kills 10 Al-Shabaab members, captures 6 others". Goobjoog News. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  6. Suxufi, Cabdinuur (21 October 2021). "Abaanduulaha Qeybta 43Aad Ee Ciidamada Dhulka Xooga Dalka Soomaliyeed General Aadan Dhaqane Kaalmooy oo si diiran Maamulka Gobolka Gedo". Facebook. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  7. Robinson, Colin D. (2019-01-01). "The Somali National Army: an assessment". Defense & Security Analysis. 35 (2): 211–221. doi:10.1080/14751798.2019.1600805. ISSN 1475-1798. S2CID 159442854.
  8. "SNA troops, Jubaland regional forces clash near Somalia-Kenya border ahead of polls". www.hiiraan.com. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  9. "Somalia: SNA troops clash with Jubaland forces in Gedo, several casualties reported". Garowe Online. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
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