26th Division (Somalia)

The 26th Division, (Somali: Qeybta 26aad), also known as the Northern Division was the Somali Army division responsible for northern Somalia. It was headquartered in Hargeisa, Somalia. It consisted of 10 units. At one point it was one of five army divisions in Somalia.[1]

26th Division
Active	?-1991
Country	Somalia
Branch	Somali Army
Type	Division
HQ location	Hargeisa, Somalia

Muse Hassan Sheikh Sayid Abdulle has been referred to as commander of the 26th Division in 1970–71.

In 1977, the division was responsible for the Dire Dawa front in the Ogaden War.[2]

Maxamed Xaashi “Gaani,” related to Barre’s second wife, was placed in charge of the twenty-sixth military region in 1980, and was in the area when the regime began large-scale repression against the Isaaq in 1981.[3] "Gaani" was later appointed vice-minister of defence (ref WPPP, Africa Report, Morgan article).

From 1986 to 1988, General Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan was the commander of the 26th Sector (the region of Somaliland) before being appointed Minister of Defense in September 1990. Divisions in the 26th Sector by this time included Division 1, Division 2 at Hargeisa, 3, and 11.[4]

Units

• 26th Division
  • 14th Armoured Brigade
  • ?? Armoured Brigade
  • 17th Motorised Brigade
  • ?? Motorised Brigade
  • 15th Infantry Brigade
  • 18th Infantry Brigade
  • 23rd Infantry Brigade
  • ?? Artillery Brigade
  • ?? Tank Brigade

References

1. Moalim, Abdi (13 September 2013). "Somalia Revives Army Division in Step Towards Greater Security". Sabahi (Washington, DC).
2. Wings over Ogaden : the Ethiopian - Somali war, 1978 - 1979. [S.l.]: Helion & Company. 2014. p. 30. ISBN 9781909982383.
3. Kapteijns, "Clan Cleansing in Somalia," 2013, 84-85, 251.
4. Robinson, Colin D. (2019). "Glimpse into an Army at its Peak: Notes on the Somali National Army in the 1960-80s". Defence and Security Analysis: 5. doi:10.1080/14751798.2019.1675944.