Somali Army Takes Control of Key Military Base as International Forces Prepare to Exit
Buurhakaba, 10 August 2026
Ethiopian troops withdrew from the strategic Buurhakaba base after 12 years, handing control to Somalia’s army ahead of the historic 2026 withdrawal of international forces.
The Transfer of Power in Buurhakaba
On 8 August 2026, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) officially transferred the technical management of the strategic Buurhakaba Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Bay region to the 60th Division of the Somali National Army [1][3][5]. This key handover, executed with logistical backing from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), represents a critical step forward in the Somalia Transition Plan, which aims to transfer security leadership entirely to domestic forces [1][3]. The Buurhakaba base had been occupied by the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) since 2014 under AUSSOM’s Sector Three operations [1][3][5].
Local Security Responsibilities and Regional Impact
The departure of Ethiopian troops concludes a deployment of nearly 12 years in the district, during which they played a central role in maintaining local stability [2][4]. Buurhakaba is a vital transit corridor within the South West State, making its security crucial for regional commerce and civilian safety [4]. With the Somali National Army now fully in charge of the base, the 60th Division faces the immediate task of securing the area and continuing offensive operations against Al-Shabaab insurgents in the Bay and Bakool regions [1][2].
Broader Geopolitical and Financial Pressures
This transition coincides with major geopolitical and financial adjustments in international support for Somalia. The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) is scheduled to wind down its political operations by 31 October 2026 [1]. While AUSSOM is currently authorised to operate until 31 December 2026 under UN Security Council Resolution 2809, the federal government in Mogadishu has requested a two-year extension of the troop withdrawal timeline to prevent security gaps [1][2]. Financial constraints are also intensifying; on 1 July 2026, the United States notified the African Union that it will cease funding for UNSOS at the end of the year [1]. This funding cliff has prompted UNSOS to begin liquidating assets, publishing an expression of interest on 6 August 2026 to auction off an estimated $30 million worth of heavy machinery, vehicles, and medical equipment [1].
Implications for Refugees and Border Stability
For Somali refugees living in regional settlements like Kakuma and Kalobeyei in neighbouring Kenya, the success of this security handover is of paramount importance [GPT]. The stability of southern Somalia directly affects border security and determines whether conditions are safe enough for voluntary repatriation [GPT]. Nasrin Khan, Head of UNTMIS’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group, noted that the overarching objective remains the construction of a resilient and inclusive security framework [1]. However, local authorities have expressed concern that rapid withdrawals could lead to a security vacuum, especially as AUSSOM plans to hand over at least three more major towns in the coming weeks [2][4]. Both refugee and host communities remain watchful of whether Somali forces can successfully defend these corridors without international infantry support [2][4].