Somali Govt leaders have decided to bring Somali soldiers trained in Eritrea home within weeks. A team from Eritrea are currently in Somalia to assess area of deployment along with Somali security experts, according to two govt sources. @i_dossier reports voasomali.com/a/5989032.html
The govt has a tentative plant to have the soldiers operate in Southwest and Jubaland states. Eritrea is equipping them, per sources. Two govt officials said the soldiers who were mainly trained as mobile forces, have received the toughest training of all the Somali soldiers
Regarding the numbers. We have confirmed 3 camps.
Camp 1 = 1,500
Camp 2 = 900
Camp 3 = 2767
Total = 5,167
This is based on interviews with deserters. Is there a 4th or even 5th camp? If yes, then the number of soldiers would be more, closer to 7K, but needs further verification
Camp 1 = 1,500
Camp 2 = 900
Camp 3 = 2767
Total = 5,167
This is based on interviews with deserters. Is there a 4th or even 5th camp? If yes, then the number of soldiers would be more, closer to 7K, but needs further verification
Deserters from the 3 camps say they are not aware of Somali soldiers taken to Tigray. So far I don’t have conclusive evidence of Somali forces going to Tigray. Recent UN report citing “reports” and “information” reported the opposite. I believe we’ll learn more in coming weeks.
The number of deserters from Somali soldiers is increasing. Spoke to deserters who arrived on June 28 & July 1, say more on the way. Some arrived before them as displayed by Puntland. They said they completed training months ago, didn’t know reason for continued stay in Eritrea.
The soldiers described tough training, lack of nutritious foods, medical care. There were incidents in which some soldiers died. 3 deserters mentioned confrontation with Eritrean trainers; scuffles led to shooting. Deserters say 7 died, a govt official says only one soldier died.
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