The Somali army celebrates its 66th anniversary with a large military parade.

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accompanied by senior officials including the Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, and the Commander of the Somali National Army, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, participated in the celebration of April 12, commemorating the sixty-sixth anniversary of the founding of the Somali National Army.

According to a statement from the Somali Ministry of Defense, the ceremony included units from the Somali National Army, who performed a military parade demonstrating the army's strength, professionalism, and readiness in the air and land domains.

Armored vehicles, tanks and military aircraft were also displayed, as brave men and women of the armed forces demonstrated their readiness to defend the unity of the nation and eliminate terrorist groups, according to the statement.

The ceremony also included Somali patriotic songs reflecting the vital role of the Somali National Army in defending the country and the tangible successes it has achieved in operations aimed at strengthening national security.

Honoring officers of the Somali National Army

On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Somali President awarded medals of courage and distinguished service to a number of officers of the Somali National Army in recognition of the courage, leadership and dedication they have shown in performing their national duties.

The Somali Ministry of Defense explained that the officers who received the medals are: Major General Mohamed Ali Barizi, Commander of the Joint Operations Coordination Center, Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, Commander of the Ground Forces, Brigadier General Mohamed Hashi Guled, Head of Security at the Ministry of Defense, who received the Distinguished Service Medal, Colonel Abdul Aziz Hussein Mohamed, Commander of the Danab Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Sahid Jama Farah, Commander of the 1st Division of the Gorgor Forces, and Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Abdul Nasser Ahmed, Acting Commander of the Support Command.

The role of the armed forces in defending Somalia

The medal ceremony coincided with the celebration of April 12, the sixty-sixth anniversary of the founding of the Somali National Army, an occasion that strongly highlighted the value and role of the armed forces in defending the nation, maintaining security and protecting the unity of the country.

Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, commander of the Somali Civil Defense Forces, said: “The Somali National Army represents a symbol of courage, unity, and the existence of the Somali nation. It is a force born from the people, supported by a kind-hearted public that is always ready to stand by its armed forces and committed to preserving the honor, dignity, and unity of the Somali people.”.