AU Delivers Military Equipment to Somalia for Al-Shabaab Fight

Somalia has received a significant shipment of military equipment from the African Union (AU) to support its ongoing battle against the Al-Shabaab insurgency. The consignment, delivered by the AU's Continental Logistics Base (CLB) team from Douala, Cameroon, included Tiger armoured vehicles, fuel, water tankers, helmets, vests, and other critical resources. The handover was received by Somalia's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa.

The Tiger armoured vehicles, manufactured by China's Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Company, are a vital addition to Somalia's military fleet. These 6.5-tonne vehicles can carry up to 11 personnel and are equipped with overhead weapon stations capable of mounting machine guns or grenade launchers. With a top speed of 115 km/h and a range of 600 km, these vehicles will significantly enhance the mobility and firepower of Somali forces in their operations against Al-Shabaab.

In a statement, Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep appreciation for the AU's ongoing support, highlighting the critical role such assistance plays in strengthening regional security, institutional development, and long-term stability. This latest delivery marks another step in the broader regional effort to combat Al-Shabaab, which continues to pose a major threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa.