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Danab Brigade

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Somali Danab
Danab Brigade Coat of Arms
Active11 March 2014
TypeSpecial operations forces
Garrison/HQBaledogle Airfield
Nickname(s)"Kuumaandoska" (English: The Commandos)
Motto(s)Isku Tiirsada!
Colors  Black   Gold   Somali Blue   Khaki (Beret colour)
Anniversaries12 April (Armed Force's Day)
1 July (Somali Independence Day)
EngagementsSomali Civil War
Commanders
Current
commander		Major Abdirahman "Beeryare"[1]

The Danab Brigade (Somali: Ciidamada Danab, "Lightning Force"),[2] also known as the Somali Danab, is an elite special operations force in the Somali National Army that is made up of members from multiple clans throughout Somalia. The force specializes in special operations and raiding which have been successful in recapturing territory previously held by the Al-Qaeda affiliate group, Al-Shabaab.[3]

History

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In February 2014, U.S. contractors concluded a six-month training course for the first commandos since 1991.[4] Training had been carried out by Bancroft Global Development, a U.S. private military contractor, paid for by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which is then reimbursed by the U.S. State Department. The aim was to create a mixed-clan unit. The Danab unit was established at Baledogle Airfield, in Walaweyn District, Lower Shabelle.[4] The training of the first Danab unit began in October 2013, with 150 recruits. As of July 2014, training of the second unit was underway. General Elmi said the training was geared toward both urban and rural environments, and is aimed at preparing the soldiers for guerrilla warfare and all other types of modern military operations. Elmi said that a total of 570 commandos were expected to have completed training by U.S. security personnel by the end of 2014.[5]

In early May 2017, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU or "SEAL Team Six") targeted a local leader of al-Shabaab in Darusalam village, where Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame, known as Mahad Karate, was believed to be hiding.[6][7] in an area on the Shebelle River called Barii, about 40 miles (64 km) west of the capital Mogadishu. Danab commandos accompanied them. The raid resulted in the death of a DEVGRU senior petty officer, the first US combat death in Somalia since the "Day of the Rangers" in 1993.[8]

The initial Danab training was very successful; thus, the United States began to expand the capability into a 3,000 - 3,500 man brigade. AFRICOM, SOCAF, and contractors trained new recruits and barracks were repaired and expanded at Baledogle Airfield.[9]

Over the years 2018 and 2019, the Danab battalion has regularly carried out strikes that have killed al Shabaab personnel. U.S. joint terminal attack controllers have been used to direct air attacks on enemy forces when Danab units have been in action.[10] Danab commandos have been proven as a capable force.

Danab commandos took part in Exercise Justified Accord 2024.[2]

Equipment

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DANAB Brigade on the SNA's 54th Anniversary in 2014

Danab commandos service uniform is the same as the SNA but distinguished by a patch of their emblem on their left shoulder and have a paratrooper insignia on their left breast of their uniform and may wear airborne tab on their shoulder.

The brigade mainly use tiger stripe and desert digital camouflage opposed to the mainly woodland camouflage that the SNA use and the urban digital camouflage the NISA use as well, The brigade does use the sand beret but if a unit's function differ, they will use the beret colour to suit their function (i.e. for Presidential Security, they will use red berets or helmets with "B.D." inscribed on them).

Danab commandos utilise kevlar vests, tactical helmets with nightvision goggles and other higher end equipment in combat.

Training

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Somali Danab soldiers conduct urban operations training, together with other multinational partners in Kenya in 2024

Prospective Danab commandos are trained by USSOCOM operators.[11] In May 2021, it was reported that the Ranger Regiment will be sent to Africa to train Danab commandos on its first overseas deployment.[12]

Many cadets also undertake training at Camp TURKSOM and regularly graduate, these commandos are being trained by Turkish forces as part of Task Force "African Eagle" (Turkish: Afrika Kartalı). These graduates, instead of bearing the sand infantry berets, wear the unique sky blue beret.

The unit accepts male and female candidates.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Ciidanka Xoogga Dalka oo la Wareegay Deegaanka Baladul Amiin". 2 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b https://www.army.mil/article/274705/somali_danab_forces_make_history_at_justified_accord_2024 [bare URL]
  3. ^ https://www.africanews.com/2024/05/11/somalia-requests-un-to-end-political-mission-as-al-shabab-attacks-increase// [bare URL]
  4. ^ a b Mohyaddin, Shafi’i (8 February 2014). "Somalia trains its first commandos after the collapse of the central government". Hiiraan Online. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  5. ^ Dan Joseph, Harun Maruf (31 July 2014). "US-Trained Somali Commandos Fight Al-Shabab". VOA. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Gunfight kills Navy SEAL, wounds 2 other SEALs in Somalia". NBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. ^ "U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Somalia raid on militant compound". Reuters. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  8. ^ "In sign of intensifying Somalia fight, Navy SEAL killed during raid against al-Shabab". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Somali Commando force to grow from battalion to brigade". Star and Stripes. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  10. ^ "US troops, nonprofit trainers and a 'Lightning Brigade' battle for Somalia". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  11. ^ Balestrieri, Steve (3 August 2021). "US Conducts Another Airstrike Against Al-Shabaab in Somalia as the Debate Over The Strikes' Legality Continues". SOFREP. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  12. ^ https://www.keydmedia.net/news/the-uk-to-send-specialist-troops-to-somalia-to-train-danab [bare URL]
  13. ^ https://adf-magazine.com/2023/09/somalias-quick-strike-danab-forces-wage-fierce-battle-against-al-shabaab/ [bare URL]
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