Mogadishu, April 12, 2025 (SMN) – Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Saturday congratulated the Somali National Army (SNA) on its 65th anniversary, marking the force’s founding on April 12, 1960.
In a statement, Ahmed hailed the milestone as a “historic occasion,” noting its significance amid the army’s ongoing operations against terrorist groups responsible for “shedding the blood of innocent people.”
“I salute the heroes and martyrs who continue sacrificing their lives for the protection of our people and the country,” Ahmed said, paying tribute to the SNA’s fallen and serving members.
The former president urged Somali citizens and national leaders to prioritize the welfare of the armed forces, who “day and night remain on the frontlines defending the citizens and the interests of the nation.”
Somalia has been grappling with a long-running insurgency led by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, which continues to stage deadly attacks despite intensified military efforts to degrade its capabilities.
