Somalia NSA confirms troops crossed into Ethiopia region

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s National Security Adviser, Aways Haji Yusuf, on Tuesday confirmed for the first time that an undisclosed number of Somali National Army (SNA) troops who recently completed a Saudi Arabia-funded training program in Hanaanbure, Galmudug, have crossed into Ethiopia’s Somali region. Yusuf said the soldiers, who had undergone more than a year […]

Sep 2, 2026 - 09:49

Somalia NSA confirms troops crossed into Ethiopia region

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s National Security Adviser, Aways Haji Yusuf, on Tuesday confirmed for the first time that an undisclosed number of Somali National Army (SNA) troops who recently completed a Saudi Arabia-funded training program in Hanaanbure, Galmudug, have crossed into Ethiopia’s Somali region.

Yusuf said the soldiers, who had undergone more than a year of training, were granted leave to visit their families and that the federal government is aware of their presence in the region for that purpose.

“If there are other issues, we will let you (media) know,” Yusuf told reporters.

Defection Reports Preceded the Admission

The confirmation comes days after multiple Somali media outlets, including outlets based in Ethiopia’s Somali region, reported that dozens of soldiers – part of a cohort of 3,000 trained at Hananbure – had defected and were subsequently captured by regional forces before being taken to Jigjiga.

Reported figures for the number involved have varied widely across outlets, with some citing 300, others 180, and others as high as 900. None of these figures has been independently confirmed, and it remains unclear whether the soldiers defected or were simply on approved leave to visit their families, as the government maintains.

Analyst: Admission “Likely to Generate More Questions”

A Nairobi-based Horn of Africa analyst with Sahan Research described the National Security Adviser’s admission as “refreshing and commendable, but likely to generate more questions.”

“Did Somalia recruit forces from the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia with permission from regional and federal authorities? If not, how will Addis Ababa respond?” the analyst asked.

A Backdrop of Strained Ties

The episode unfolds against a backdrop of strained relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa in recent years, with the two governments aligned to separate geopolitical camps. Ethiopia has increasingly sided with the United Arab Emirates, including in its support for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, while Somalia has increasingly aligned itself with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.