Odowaa Yusuf Rageh
Major General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh is a Somali military general. He is a Former Chief of the Somali National Army.[1] In 2007 He was trained in the Ugandan Military Academy Kabamba and commissioned Second Lieutenant on the 24th of December 2007.
Odowaa Yusuf Rageh | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Major General Rageh in 2023 | |
| Chief of Defence Force | |
| In office 27 August 2020 – 19 June 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Dahir Adan Elmi |
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 (age 44–45) Adan Yabaal, Middle Shabelle, Somali Democratic Republic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Federal Government of Somalia |
| Branch/service | Somali National Army |
| Years of service | 2007–present |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | Commander of 60th Infantry Platoon Chief of Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | Somali Civil War |
Career
After finishing his secondary school education in 2000, Rageh enlisted in the Somali Army under the Transitional Federal Government. Shortly after enlisting Rageh was sent to Uganda for military training specifically VIP Protection. Once he was back in the country, he went on to provide basic training for new recruits.
In the year 2009, Odowaa was sent to Sudan for Officer training and came back in 2010 to be promoted as a First Lieutenant. Upon commission, he became one of the Officers in charge of Villa Somalia Protection.
In 2013, Rageh was sent to Turkey for special training that involved infantry commanding, foreign languages, and logistics of the Army. Shortly after coming back, Odowaa was then again sent back to Turkey in the end of 2014 to the ciidanka xoogga dalka Soomaaliya Also known as "The Army War Institute" in Turkiye where he spent the next two years learning and understanding the core principles of leading a modern army. Before he was sent to Turkey, Rageh was given the rank of Major.
Upon successfully completing his course at the Turkish Army War College, Rageh was appointed as head of 60th Platoon which was part of the Villa Somalia Protection.
Beginning of 2018, he became Lieutenant Colonel and towards the end of 2020, he became head of the Somali National Army Infantry with his new rank as Brigadier General.[2]
Rageh survived an assassination attempt in July 2020.[3] By the first quarter of 2023, Rageh was promoted to the rank of Major General.
Promotions
| Rank with Insignia in English and Somali | Year of Promotion | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Second Lieutenant (Xaddigle) |
2007 | ||
 First Lieutenant (laba-Xiddigle) |
2010 | ||
 Captain (Dhamme) |
2012 | ||
 Major (Gashaanle) |
2014 | ||
 Lieutenant Colonel (Gashaanle Dhexe) |
2018 | ||
 Brigadier General (Sareeye Guuto) |
2020 | General Rageh skipped the rank of Colonel | |
| Major General (Gashaanle Guuto) |
2023 |
Chief of Army
On the 27th August 2020, Brigadier General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh was appointed as the Chief of the Army[4]
On the 19th of June 2023, Odowaa Yusuf Rageh was replaced by the Somali cabinet, and General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyudin was selected as new Chief of the Army.[5]
References
- "Somalia Appoints Young Commander".
- "New Head of Infantry".
- "Somalia's army chief survives bombing of his convoy; 1 dead". ABC News. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Somalia: New Somali Army Chief Takes Office".
- Dhaysane, Mohammed (June 19, 2023). "Somalia sacks army chief, names Brig-Gen Addow as new commander amid tensions in Hiran region". Andolu Agency. Retrieved June 30, 2023.