Somalia Roundup: Alshabaab bombings, AU Summit, mine explosion
Science project
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency has established a 3D Robotic Coding Lab within the Department of Computer Engineering at Zamzam Foundation University. The project is aimed at enhancing the knowledge skills and proficiencies of Somali students in the technological field. The training will be carried out in the Department of Computer Engineering faculty building according to Radio Dalsan.
Security in Somalia
A new lean contingent of troops has been assigned to help the Somalia National Army (SNA) following the exit of the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS). 5000 troops have already left in the first and second phases. About 4,000 more are expected to leave the country soon with the last batch departing by December. According to the National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali, the new contingent of multi-national troops will operate in the country fully after the exit of the ATMIS contingent. Their mandate will be to protect key infrastructure area, Garowe news platform reports.
AU Summit
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is at the African Union Summit in Ethiopia amidst tensions over sea access between both countries. The President during his visit to Addis Ababa denounced Ethiopia’s signage of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland to gain access to the sea. He described it as an invasion of another country’s territory, the Somali Guardian reports.
Alshabaab bombings
The Somali National Army has destroyed the hideout of some Al-Shabaab terrorists in parts of the country. According to a report by the Somali National News Agency, the troops carried out the operation with the support of international partners on February 17. The operation was carried out at El-wadalan area near the Galcad district in the Galgaduud region where 2 bases were bombed.
Mine explosion
An explosion of a remote-controlled mine in the Luuq District in the Gedo Region in Southern Somalia resulted in casualties in the early hours of February 17. The explosion's impact was reportedly felt in many parts of the district, according to Radio Dalsan. Three civilians were injured in the explosion. Meanwhile, investigations are underway as Luuq security officials try to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
