MOGADISHU, 14 JANUARY 2017 – At least 100 soldiers from the Somali National Army have graduated Saturday from an infantry course on combat skills, at General Dhegabadan Training (Jazeera) Camp, in Mogadishu.

Trained by the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia, the troops learnt combat engineering, light infantry and the use Information Communication Technologies.

“We are going to train 300 soldiers in four months to provide another additional capability to SNA,” Brig. Gen. Maurizio Morena, the Commander of EUTM in Somalia said.

EUTM will conduct the next phase of training jointly with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

“Together with the (AMISOM) Force Commander, we have decided to share the same training programme, the same schedule; and our trainers are also speaking with AMISOM trainers to get the same view on the training,” explained Brig. Gen Morena

Lt. Gen. Osman Noor Soubagleh, the AMISOM Force Commander announced that the trainees would be co-located with AMISOM troops, for continuous training and mentoring.

“This is the beginning of the integration of the Guulwade Plan. We will take this as an example and we will replicate it. AMISOM is also going to train 150 in light infantry which will (be in line with) Guulwade Plan,” Lt. Gen. Soubagleh noted.

Maj. Gen. Ali Bashi Mohamed, the SNA Deputy Chief of Defence Forces hailed the European Union (EU), for the support it has accorded the Somali army over the years.

“My message to the SNA soldiers that have completed training today is that you are not returning to your former places of work. I expect you to also forget about your clan and religious allegiances. You are the best soldiers that SNA has today,” Maj. Gen. Bashi told the graduands.

Senior military officers from the SNA, AMISOM and EUTM, attended the passing out parade.

During the ceremony, the trainees demonstrated their combat skills in fighting in built-up areas, clearance of roadside mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).