By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Galgaduud, 16 August 2026 — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday presided over the graduation of thousands of Somali National Army soldiers in Xananbuure, Galgaduud region, in what the government called the largest cohort trained inside the country since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
The troops completed nearly a year of basic military training at the Xananbuure Military Training School. They were recruited from regions across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Hassan Sheikh said conducting training inside Somalia is part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the Somali National Army and strengthen national security.
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“The graduation of thousands of soldiers demonstrates progress in the government’s capacity to train and strengthen our armed forces,” he said. The newly trained personnel will now formally join the ranks of the SNA.
The ceremony was attended by Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qoorqoor, Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Public Works Minister Ayub Ismail Yusuf, members of the Federal Parliament, SNA Commander Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, and officials from the Galgaduud regional administration and Dhusamareb district, along with other dignitaries.