African Union transfers over 7 military bases of peacekeepers to Somali army

The African Union (AU) Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has transferred seven of its military bases to the Somali military as part of the Blue Helmets withdrawal plan.

The first plan for the withdrawal of the AU contingent is to reduce the ATMIS contingent by 2,000 people, Anadolu reports, adding that by the end of September, it is planned to withdraw another 3,000 troops from Somalia.

Up to now, 20,000 "blue helmets" of the AU are deployed in Somalia, the complete withdrawal of which is scheduled for December 2024.

The African Union Mission in Somalia is a unique African Peace Support Operation deployed in 2007, led by the African Union (AU) and designed to provide support and protection to civilians of Somalia, with provision from the United Nations (UN).