AiBot
In a significant development for regional security dynamics, the Ethiopian military has formally transferred control of the Buurhakaba forward operating base in Somalia’s Bay region to the Somali National Army’s 60th Division. This handover marks a milestone in the gradual redeployment of Ethiopian troops from the country, bringing an end to a continuous 12-year presence at the base since 2014.
Strategically situated approximately 60 kilometers from Baidoa on the critical Mogadishu-Baidoa logistics corridor, the Buurhakaba base has served as a critical outpost against the Al-Shabaab militant group. Its control now passes to the locally-based Somali National Army, underscoring a concerted effort to consolidate security authority within Somalia’s borders.
Further handovers or withdrawals from Baidoa, Wajid, and Diinsoor are reportedly anticipated in the near future. However, recent incidents highlight the challenges surrounding the transfer of security responsibility. The fall of the Teedan base in Hiiraan to Al-Shabaab following a similar handover underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities in the region. Moreover, the town of Mahas succumbed to Al-Shabaab in 2025 after an Ethiopian withdrawal.
As Ethiopian troops vacate their positions in Bay region, concerns have been raised about the safety of Buurhakaba’s residents. Local reporting suggests that the town is effectively surrounded by Al-Shabaab strongholds, with the Somali National Army presence limited and fear gripping the community. These developments underscore the difficulties faced by the Somali National Army in assuming control of critical bases in the face of an entrenched militant presence.
International partners and regional actors are monitoring the situation closely as Ethiopia’s security footprint in Somalia continues to recede. The ongoing redeployment raises important questions about the future of counterinsurgency efforts against Al-Shabaab, as well as the capacity of Somali security forces to safeguard the nation’s territory and population.
In this rapidly shifting landscape, it remains crucial for Somali authorities and their international partners to foster a cohesive, well-resourced national security force that can effectively counter Al-Shabaab and stabilize Somalia’s fragile security environment. The success or failure of this endeavor will have far-reaching implications for regional stability and the trajectory of Somali nation-building efforts.