Mogadishu, Somalia, SONNA – A collaborative military exercise aimed at enhancing security cooperation in Somalia concluded successfully at the General Dhagabadan Training Center (GDTC). The “Green Shield I/25” exercise brought together forces from the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S), the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), the Somali Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The primary objective of Green Shield I/25, which notably included the direct participation of SNAF forces in live tactical exercises, was to improve the ability of participating forces to quickly and effectively respond to potential security threats. The exercise focused on enhancing force protection measures and developing automated response protocols for complex scenarios, such as those involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) followed by Indirect Fire (IDF) attacks resulting in casualties at the GDTC.
General Zizzari, the Mission Force Commander of EUTM-S, highlighted the success of the exercise’s “train-with-me” concept. “In Green Shield I/25, EUTM-S integrated SNAF forces into its own training exercise from the planning stages right through to the execution with personnel on the ground,” stated General Zizzari. He further emphasized the significance of this joint effort, noting, “This is the first time SNAF/TRADOC, EUTM-S, and AUSSOM have participated shoulder to shoulder in both the planning process and the execution outside the Mogadishu International Airport (MIA). Green Shield I/25 has served as an excellent venue to significantly enhance coordination in Command and Control and on-the-ground procedures among all participating forces.”
The Green Shield series of exercises has demonstrated a marked improvement in the force protection capabilities of the participating units and a progressive automation of their responses to intricate threats. This progress reflects the positive outcomes of continuous mentoring, training initiatives, and collaborative planning efforts.
The successful completion of Green Shield I/25 is seen as a crucial step towards laying the groundwork for a future Somali-led Joint Combined Exercise with international participation. EUTM-S has pledged to support and mentor this initiative from its initial stages, aligning with Somalia’s long-term vision of developing self-reliant security forces and strengthening its national institutions.
