The Swedish government recently deployed a small contingent of troops to Somalia to support the Somali National Army in its fight against terrorist groups.
The Swedish military presence is based on an official invitation from the Somali government, and is in partnership with the US Africa Command (US AFRICOM).
The operation, dubbed Operation Thunderbird, is being carried out in cooperation between Swedish, US, and Somali forces.
“The Swedish contingent is focused on supporting Somali and US forces through training, advising, and obtaining critical information,” said Rear Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, the Swedish head of Joint Operations.
Gen. John W. Brennan, deputy commander of US AFRICOM, said Sweden is a critical partner in the fight against terrorist groups in Somalia, praising their unique expertise in the areas of investigation and intelligence.
While the security situation in Somalia remains challenging, early results of the cooperation have been described as positive.
Sweden also participates in other international operations in the region, such as the EU Training Mission (EUTM Somalia), Operation Atalanta, and Operation Aspides.
US AFRICOM is the agency that manages US military operations in Africa, focusing on countering extremist groups and strengthening the forces of friendly nations. It is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
