National Intelligence and Security Agency


The National Intelligence and Security Agency Hay'ada Sirdoonka iyo Nabadsugida Qaranka is the national intelligence agency of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It is in-charge of secret service, intelligence and covert operations. The main objective of is to collect the intelligence data through different means and to safeguard the national interests. The job is to identify and block threats to the state and its citizens and to reinforce the country's security and safety according to the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The NISA is also closely intertwined with the National Armed Forces and regularly cooperates with them.

Overview

NISA was officially reestablished in January 2013 by the new Somali Federal Government in place of the defunct National Security Service. It was part of a broader effort by the federal authorities to re-establish state institutions.
Headquartered in Mogadishu, NISA is assisted by AMISOM. According to the former Minister of State for the Presidency Abdulkadir Moallin Noor, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency also provided training to NISA officials during the latter agency's formative stages.
NISA personnel have conducted security operations against Al-Shabaab elements in the capital.

Counterterrorism and paramilitary forces

In April 2014, the United Arab Emirates donated several battle wagons and other equipment to NISA.
NISA personnel also have digital camouflage as standard issue uniforms and have orange balaclavas and wear patrol caps or slate berets when not on missions, and have ACOG scopes and lasers on their equipment, and generally have more modern equipment than the Somali Armed Forces.
As of July 2014, the Gaashaan counterterrorism force constitutes a fundamental part of the National Intelligence and Security Agency. It is a commando force trained by the United States. NISA associates indicate that Gaashaan consists of two units totaling 120 men.
Alpha Group is Gaashan's first component, and includes around 40 soldiers and 3 officers who were chosen from amongst 190 special Somali National Army troops. According to Somali defense officials, this unit received training in the United States between late 2009 and early 2010. Derek Gannon said that the Alpha Group's training regimen includes counter-insurgency, counter-terror operation and executive-protecting, with an emphasis on quick reaction in an urban environment. The soldiers are also equipped with guns with night-vision scopes.
Gaashaan's second counter-terrorism unit is the Bravo Group. It received training at the Aden Adde International Airport in 2011.
A third commando unit, the Danab Brigade, is part of the Somali National Army. It is modeled after the U.S. Rangers.
Abdullah Mohamed Ali "Sanbaloolshe" an elected MP of the national lower house of parliament, was on April 6, 2017 reappointed to the position of NISA Director General.
In May 2018 it was reported that the SNIS has grown to 700 personnel, with the Waran having 300 personnel and Gaashaan roughly 400.

Equipment

OriginTypeNotes
TT pistolPistol
Makarov pistol Soviet UnionPistol
Sterling submachine gunSubmachine gun
AK-47Assault RifleStandard issue rifle of the Somali Armed Forces along with other AK-47 Variants. ACOG scopes and picanilly rails, laser sights.
AKMAssault Rifle
AK74Soviet UnionAssault RifleUsed by NISA special forces units Gaashaan and Waran. and DANAB commandos. AKS-74 variant. ACOG scopes and picanilly rails, laser sights.
vz. 58Assault Rifle
M4 carbineAssault Rifle
M16 rifleAssault Rifle
Type 56 Assault RifleAssault RifleSecondary Service Rifle in the SNA, ACOG scopes and picanilly rails, laser sights and foregrips.
Heckler & Koch G3Battle Rifle
FN FALBattle Rifle
M14 rifleBattle Rifle
Dragunov sniper rifleMarksman RiflePSO-1 scope.
PSL RomaniaMarksman RiflePSO-1 scope.
RPD machine gunLight Machine Gun
RPK machine gunLight Machine Gun
RP-46Machine Gun
AA-52 machine gunMachine Gun
PK machine gunMachine Gun
FN MAGMachine Gun
DShKHeavy Machine Gun
M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Gun
M79 grenade launcherGrenade Launcher
RPG-2Grenade Launcher
RPG-7Grenade Launcher
MPT-76Assault Rifle450 Delivered