MOGADISHU, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has announced that 13 police officers have completed an intensive five-day training program focused on detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The training, facilitated by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), aimed to enhance the officers' skills in using modern technology, bolstering intelligence capabilities, fostering efficient information exchange, and implementing strategic counter-IED operations, the ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Sunday evening.
"These efforts have been crucial in mitigating the impact of IEDs laid by al-Shabab militants, which have historically led to significant civilian casualties and severe disruptions to the movement of people and goods," it said.
According to the AU mission, the training, which took place in Jowhar, southwest Somalia, primarily addressed the challenges posed by IEDs during vehicle inspection operations along the main supply routes. The use of deadly devices on main supply routes has been identified as a key reason for restricting responses to humanitarian crises.
ATMIS said that the al-Shabab terrorist group often plants explosive devices on the main supply routes, targeting ATMIS and government troops, but civilians often fall victim to these attacks.
James Maada, an ATMIS individual police officer based in Jowhar, emphasized the importance of the training, saying that it would help them in their stabilization efforts. "IEDs are prevalent here. The training empowers us not only to safeguard ourselves but also to impart vital knowledge to our Somali counterparts."
UNMAS is a key partner of ATMIS and has consistently worked over the years to strengthen the capacity of both ATMIS and Somali Security Forces to effectively identify and disarm IEDs.
IEDs have become al-Shabab's weapon of choice in its asymmetrical warfare, with major towns and main supply routes being singled out as the biggest threat to Somalia's security and stability.
