Galmudug security forces

Galmudug state security forces
Active	2006-present
Country	Somalia Galmudug
Garrison/HQ	Dhusamareb
Engagements	Somali Civil War Battle of Bandiradley Somalia War (2006–2009) Somali Civil War (2009–present) Anti-piracy measures in Somalia 2024 El Dher attack
Commanders
Current commander	General Hassan Farah Kaarshe1

On 14 August 2006, Galmudug declared autonomy in central Somalia.

On 23 December 2006, forces presumably related to clans took part in the Battle of Bandiradley, led by Colonel Abdi Qeybdiid, alongside Ethiopian and Puntland forces. Galmudug was one of the principal opponents of the Islamic Courts Union until the ICU was dissolved on 27 December 2006.²

In March 2016, Galmudug forces engaged in an intensive fight against Al-Shabaab, who fled from Puntland. The fighting, which lasted four days, resulted in Galmudug declaring that 115 militants had been killed, and capturing 110 militants.³⁴

On 28 September 2016, US forces appeared to have been misled by intelligence provided by Puntland forces into carrying out an airstrike in the vicinity of Galkayo that resulted in the deaths of 10 members of the Galmudug security forces.⁵

A 2019 AMISOM Operational Readiness Assessment counted 5,754 'regional forces'⁶ in Galmudug.⁷⁸

According to the Federal Member States' Operational Readiness Assessment carried out in Galmudug, Puntland, Jubaland, and the South West State of Somalia by AMISOM, Galmudug has the largest number of regional fighters with the heaviest weaponry, including tanks and anti-tank weapons.⁹¹⁰

The Galmudug Security Forces operate their own police.¹¹

Galmudug security forces have been receiving multiple training courses from the European Union and NATO.

On 10 October 2017, Dutch and Swedish sailors on board HNLMS Rotterdam conducted medical training with local Galmudug Security Forces. The local interaction supported a mutual partnership to improve maritime skills.

Upon completion of medical training, members of the Galmudug forces were presented with certificates during an upper-deck ceremony.¹²

On 11 October 2017, personnel from Galmudug received medical and security training from the Spanish sailors aboard the EU Naval Force ship ESPS Rayo to strengthen maritime security in the region. The two teams then worked on engine maintenance drills.¹³

In July 2013, Specialist Marine Services Ltd., a British-owned private maritime security company, was mentioned in the United Nations (UN) Security Council report by the United Nations Somalia, and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) for violating the Arms Embargo for Somalia.

The report stated:

The provision of such training, assistance and equipment to "military forces" of the Galmudug State of Somalia by Specialist Marine Services and Steven Platt constitutes a large-scale violation of the general and complete arms embargo on Somalia, established pursuant to Security Council resolutions 733 (1992) and 1425 (2002)

The group CEO, Mr. Steven Platt, a former British soldier and security contractor,¹⁴ had violated the UN arms embargo by providing military training services and equipment to forces in Galmudug.

In "Galmudug" Somalia, a private company called Specialist Marine Services Ltd is providing training and military equipment to the "Galmudug" Armed Forces. The company has deployed a team of five expatriates in Galkayo to deliver "basic military training" and has distributed 600 sets of uniforms, communication equipment and body armour, in direct violation of the arms embargo on Somalia.

SMS Ltd. spent 24 months in Galkacyo, where they provided guidance and direction on Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) and the main actors involved in piracy.¹⁵

Furthermore, SMS Ltd. reports highlighted key (prominent) clan militias and forces in addition to mapping the complex clan systems.

SMS Ltd. has been linked to strong ties with Habargidir factions, particularly the Sa'ad. Mr. Platt, an associate of former Galmudug State President Abdi Hasan Awale, was arrested in December 2013 by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on charges of "Conspiracy to Commit Piracy."¹⁶ The charges were eventually dropped in December 2015.

The National Intelligence and Security Agency is Somalia's national intelligence agency. It has a branch in Galmudug state, where it provides intelligence services for the Galmudug security forces and sometimes works alongside them.