Gar Adag, Sanaag – Somaliland has announced that the handover process of civilian forces in the Sanaag region is nearing its final stages, with the Somaliland National Army preparing to assume full security responsibilities in the area.

The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in Gar Adag district on Monday, where units of the civilian forces were formally transferred to the command of the Somaliland military.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi emphasized the strategic importance of the handover in maintaining peace and stability across the region. He stated that the Somaliland army would immediately deploy to secure any positions vacated by the civilian forces.

“We guarantee that no area vacated by the civilian forces will be left unprotected. The national army will take over, and those civilian forces completing their training will be integrated into the regular armed forces,” the Vice President said.

He further highlighted that Somaliland has made notable advancements in security and reaffirmed the readiness of its military to manage the region’s defense effectively. The Vice President also thanked the local community and traditional leaders, particularly the Sultan of the area, for their critical role in facilitating the transition.

The handover marks a significant step in Somaliland’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its security architecture and enhance the formalization of local defense structures under the national framework.