Somalia has taken action against members of its Danab counterterrorism special forces, detaining and suspending them due to allegations of misappropriating food-ration donations from the US government. The defense ministry of the East African nation initiated an investigation into the corrupt activities and informed foreign partners about the suspected theft.
The Danab Brigade, a key unit within the Somali National Army, has been a significant recipient of US security assistance in the fight against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab group. The brigade, consisting of around 3,000 troops, has made progress in reclaiming territory from the militant organization since 2017.
The United States has pledged over $100 million to establish new bases for the Danab forces, reflecting the escalating threats posed by al-Shabaab. Amid concerns about corruption within the food-supply unit of the Danab army, Washington is committed to implementing measures to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents that could jeopardize assistance.
While an anonymous US official emphasized the seriousness with which corruption allegations are taken, it remains unclear whether aid to the army has been suspended. However, reports from local media suggest that the US has halted food supplies to the elite military unit in response to the theft accusations.
