Swedish Special Unit Secretly Deployed to Somalia to Support U.S. Mission

Mogadisho (SahanPost):- Swedish military personnel have been secretly deployed to Somalia in support of a covert U.S. operation targeting al-Shabaab group, according to a report published Swedish Media Expressen.

Around 15 members of the Life Guards’ specialist unit Forensic Security Intelligence Service have reportedly been involved in the mission. While not classified as combat troops, their role has been focused on technical and forensic work, specifically analyzing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and collecting DNA evidence. The U.S. is said to have specifically requested this unit for its advanced forensic capabilities.

The deployment was not publicly disclosed by the Swedish government, and the Parliament’s defense committee was only informed after Expressen began making inquiries. Because the personnel are not considered armed combatants, the mission did not require formal approval from the Swedish Parliament.

Officials have remained tight-lipped about the details of the operation. When contacted by Expressen, Defense Minister Pål Jonson’s press secretary, Johan Hjelmstrand, said: “Due to operational confidentiality, we cannot currently go into further details about this.”

Sweden Defense Minister paid unannounced visit to Mogadishu by especial plane last week. He held meetings with Somalias officials and members of the Somali Defence Forces.