Somalia Prepares to Deploy Special Police Force to Hunt Al-Shabaab

1,300 strong

The Somali government plans to deploy a 1,300-strong police force in late May to hunt down al-Shabaab operatives throughout Mogadishu with the aim of preventing attacks and assassinations against peace activists, security forces, journalists and government officials.

"Among the tasks of our new force is to impose curfews, conduct searches, fend off attacks, protect public figures and protect [neighbourhood police outposts]," Somali Minister of Interior and National Security Abdikarim Hussein Guled told Sabahi. "Its members will be different from other forces because of their unique uniforms, equipment, supplies and special vehicles, as well as because they will receive ongoing training inside the country and abroad to maintain their fitness levels."