COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: October2025
COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: October2025
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI reports: Country Focus 2025, 1.2.1., 1.7.; Security 2025, 1.1., 1.2.2., 1.2.3., 1.6.; Actors 2021, 2.2., 2.4., 2.4.5.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
The FGS armed forces include the Somali National Army (SNA), the Special Forces (notably Gorgor and Danab), the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Somali Police Force (SPF) and Prison Forces.
While the FGS had regained significant territory since 2010, recent developments show a reversal of some gains. After a successful joint offensive against Al-Shabaab beginning in August 2022, particularly in Hiraan and Middle Shabelle, the group regained territory in 2024-2025, launching a major counter-offensive that pushed close to Mogadishu. Though government operations have become more strategic and coordinated, FGS forces still struggle to hold recaptured areas, often lacking stabilisation and administrative capacity. See also Map: areas of control and influence above.
FGS armed forces reportedly committed a wide range of human rights violations, to which they were associated in varying degrees, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, sexual violence as well as grave violations against children.
COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: October2025
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI reports and query: Country Focus 2025, 1.2.1.; 1.7., Security 2025, 1.1., 1.2.3., 1.3., 1.4.3., 1.6., 2.1., 2.1.1., 2.5., 2.6., 2.7., 2.8.; Actors 2021, 7.; COI Update 2025, 1.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
The FMS security forces include Darwish (state level paramilitary/militia) and police forces, under each FMS administration, namely: Jubbaland, South-West, Benadir Regional Administration [BRA]-Mogadishu, Hirshabelle, Galmudug. Puntland security forces comprise the State Police (PSP), the Darwish or ‘Special police’, the Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA) and the Maritime Police (PMP). The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), also operates in Puntland. Additionally, SSC-Khatumo, which was recognised as a federal member state in April 2025, has its own security forces, estimated at 8 000, mostly from the Dhulbahante clan.
Somaliland security forces comprise the National Intelligence Service (NIS), which relies on formal and informal intelligence networks and includes army and police intelligence officers; the Somaliland Police (6 000 officers) the Somaliland National Armed Forces (between 8 000 and 15 000 soldiers), and the Somali Coast Guard.
On territorial control and influence of FMS forces and Somaliland forces, see also Map: areas of control and influence above.
FMS security forces in Somalia have been implicated in human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence. Reports also cite child recruitment, attacks on schools and hospitals, and disruption of humanitarian aid. Journalists, human rights defenders, and terrorism suspects were frequently targeted. While South-West State Police have shown improved conduct under international oversight, abuses persist among Darwish units across states. Notably, serious violations occurred during conflicts in Galmudug, Jubbaland, Puntland, and Somaliland, including the 2023–2024 clashes in Laas Caanood. Furthermore, in the reference period, a trend of limiting civil liberties in Somaliland, including through an increasing number of arrests of journalists was reported.