KHEYRE announces that the most elite forces of the Somali Federal Government have been killed

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The former Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Ali Kheyre, has strongly criticized the leadership of the federal government, accusing them of deploying experienced troops in the fight against Al-Shabaab for an operation stemming from a political dispute that should have been resolved through dialogue.

Kheyre made these remarks on Tuesday, following a heavy battle that took place on Monday in the Jameeco area of the Bay region, in which soldiers from the Somali National Army were killed, and others were injured.

The former Prime Minister stated that the soldiers who died in that battle were among the most skilled and well-trained forces the country had, who had been engaged in the fight against Al-Shabaab for many years.

“It is very concerning that troops with such extensive experience were sent on an operation arising from a political dispute that should have been resolved through dialogue,” Kheyre said in a statement he issued .

He noted that involving armed forces in internal political disputes undermines the fight against Al-Shabaab, and that the group is benefiting from the divisions and opportunities that arise.

“Whenever our forces are diverted from fighting the common enemy and are entangled in the political disputes of Somalis, the national fight against Al-Shabaab is weakened,” he said.

Kheyre has called on the government to transparently present to the Somali people what happened in Jameeco, the decisions that led to the operation, and the circumstances that caused the troops to encounter the attack that resulted in significant casualties.

} “At a time when there is such significant loss, it is the government's duty to provide the nation with a comprehensive and honest report regarding what happened, including the decisions that led to the operation and the circumstances that put our troops in this attack,” he said.

He added that accountability is not an optional matter, and it cannot be allowed for the sacrifices of the troops to be concealed by political interests.

The former Prime Minister also called for the National Army to be empowered to fulfill their national duties, rather than being distracted by the conflicts among Somali politicians.

“The political conflicts in Somalia are serious, but they cannot be resolved on the battlefield. They require dialogue, compromise, and genuine agreement,” Kheyre said.

On the other hand, Kheyre extended condolences to the families and the troops who lost their lives in the Jameeco battle, praying to God to have mercy on those who died and to grant the injured swift recovery.

He called for the government and the Somali people to stand by the families of the fallen soldiers and those injured, noting that the troops displayed bravery and sacrifice that deserve to be honored.

Significant Loss

Kheyre's remarks come as questions still remain regarding the losses sustained by government forces in the Jameeco battle.

Two soldiers who spoke to the news agency Reuters said that dozens of soldiers had died in the fighting. One of them stated that he participated in the evacuation of the bodies of 40 soldiers and more than 100 injured who were taken to hospitals in Mogadishu.

The Ministry of Defense of Somalia also stated that government forces killed nearly 75 members of Al-Shabaab in the fighting, while 56 others were injured.

The ministry acknowledged that Al-Shabaab attacked the forces with vehicles filled with explosives, but did not disclose the number of government soldiers who died or were injured in the fighting.

So far, the total casualties on both sides cannot be independently verified.

Kheyre ultimately emphasized that Somalia needs political leadership that prioritizes national security, protects the lives of the forces, and works to resolve political disputes through dialogue before they cause further loss of life and property.