Over the past year, at least 1,500 people have been killed or injured by 600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Somalia, according to a UN report released on Thursday.
James Swan, the UN Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative for Somalia, described these explosive devices as a “serious” threat to Somalia’s path toward self-sufficiency and long-term national security. He emphasized that Somali army troops are the primary targets of these attacks, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to address the issue.
Speaking at the launch of a training program to enhance the army’s capabilities against IEDs, Swan described the initiative as “a crucial part of continuing to build Somali capacity to handle and counter IEDs.”
The UN reported that in 2023 alone, the Somali army recorded 378 deaths and 451 injuries linked to these devices, underscoring the persistent dangers facing both military personnel and civilians.
Since 2020, the Somali army, with support from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), has made significant progress in countering the threat posed by IEDs.