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Somalia’s government has welcomed the planned deployment of Egyptian soldiers under the African Union’s new stabilization mission, marking a fresh step in international efforts to defeat al-Shabab and secure the country.
The Ministry of Defense said the first group of Egyptian troops will arrive in the coming weeks after completing their initial training program. They will serve as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which officially replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) earlier this year.
According to Somali officials, the Egyptian soldiers will be deployed to some of the country’s most insecure regions, including Hiiraan, Lower Shabelle, and Gedo. These areas have seen frequent clashes as Somali forces and their allies continue offensives against al-Shabab militants. “The Ministry of Defense welcomes the successful conclusion of the first training program for Egyptian Armed Forces units who will soon join AUSSOM,” the ministry said in a statement.
Strengthening the Mission
The decision for Egypt to join AUSSOM was formally endorsed by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council in late 2024. In January this year, Somalia’s foreign minister confirmed Egypt’s role in the mission after Mogadishu and Cairo signed a new security partnership focused on counterterrorism cooperation.
Somali officials say the Egyptian deployment will expand multinational support at a time when government forces are intensifying operations against al-Shabab and ISIS. Recent military campaigns in the south and central regions have led to heavy clashes. Earlier this month, Somali commandos killed more than 100 al-Shabab fighters in Lower Shabelle, while forces in Hiiraan have pledged to step up operations around the regional capital, Beledweyne. Gedo has also seen ongoing battles between Somali and Jubbaland forces against militants.
From ATMIS to AUSSOM
AUSSOM was launched on January 1 with approval from the United Nations Security Council. Its main goal is to help Somali forces maintain stability while gradually handing over full security responsibilities to the Somali National Army.
This mission replaced ATMIS, which for years played a central role in protecting Somalia’s government and fighting al-Shabab. Unlike its predecessor, AUSSOM is designed to focus more on long-term stabilization and capacity-building rather than large-scale combat operations.
However, the mission has faced financial struggles. The United Nations missed a key funding deadline in May, forcing African Union member states to increase their own contributions in July to keep operations running. Despite these challenges, Somali officials say the arrival of new troop-contributing countries such as Egypt will give the mission a timely boost.
Regional Context
Egypt’s entry into Somalia’s security efforts comes against the backdrop of shifting regional dynamics. Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia soured in 2024 after Ethiopia signed a controversial port access agreement with Somaliland, which Mogadishu strongly opposed. Tensions escalated to the point where Somalia threatened to expel Ethiopian troops serving under the African Union mission.
The standoff was later resolved through mediation led by Turkey in early 2025, helping to restore ties between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. With that issue settled, the African Union was able to bring in new partners like Egypt to strengthen the stabilization mission.
Looking Ahead
For Somalia, the deployment of Egyptian forces reflects growing international confidence in the country’s security transition. The government hopes that broader multinational support will speed up its campaign to defeat al-Shabab, restore stability, and prepare Somali forces to take over full responsibility in the future.
Officials in Mogadishu say the arrival of Egyptian troops in Hiiraan, Lower Shabelle, and Gedo will provide critical reinforcements as Somali and allied forces step up pressure on insurgents. While challenges remain — from continued militant attacks to financial uncertainty over AUSSOM — the government views this as a turning point in building a stronger, more capable Somali army backed by trusted international partners.