MOGADISHU (SD)-The African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has stated that they have withdrawn from the Barire base, transferring security responsibility to Somali security forces, marking the third phase of troop reductions.

ATMIS has indicated that the Military Base located in the Lower Shabelle Region, which has been under the control of the Ugandan Contingent of ATMIS since 2019, is of strategic importance as it serves as a defense hub, approximately 60 kilometers west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Mukhtar Ahmed, a representative of the Somali National Army (SNA), praised the Ugandan forces for their commitment to peacekeeping and their role in ensuring Somalia’s stability.

He stated that the SNA forces would continue to support security efforts in the Bariire area, safeguarding civilians from Al-Shabaab attacks and other unlawful armed groups.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has withdrawn 5,000 soldiers from Somalia and handed over 17 bases since the start of the first and second phases of troop withdrawals in 2023.

The third phase of the ATMIS withdrawal is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628 (2022), 2670 (2022), and 2710 (2023), which call for a drawdown of 4,000 troops by the end of June 2024.