Tuesday May 14, 2024
MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- Some 80 African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Somalia security officers on Tuesday began a three-day training focused on detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The United Nations Action Service (UNMAS) is organizing training to increase the security forces of Somalia's capacity to effectively counter threats posed by IEDs on population centers and major supply routes (MSR), designated routes within an area of operations upon which the majority of traffic flows in support of military operations and humanitarian operations.
"The participants will discuss the Somalia IED threat's assessment and ongoing counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IEDs) operations," ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
During the meeting, UNMAS chief, Justin Smith reiterated the commitment by ATMIS and the Somali government to tackle the IED menace on Somalia's security and stability.
UNMAS is a key partner to ATMIS and has over the years worked consistently to strengthen the capacity of both ATMIS and Somali security forces to effectively identify and disarm IEDs.
These efforts have been crucial in mitigating the impact of IEDs laid by al-Shabab militants, which have historically led to substantial civilian casualties and severe disruptions to the movement of people and goods.