Major General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh is a Somali military general and the current Chief of Defence Force Somali Armed Forces.
Odowaa Yusuf Rageh | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rageh in 2021 | |
| Chief of Defence Force | |
| In office 27 August 2020 – 19 June 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Dahir Adan Elmi |
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow |
| In office 9 November 2024 – Incumbent | |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 (age 45–46) Adan Yabaal, Middle Shabelle, Somali Democratic Republic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Federal Government of Somalia |
| Branch/service | Somali National Army |
| Years of service | 2007–present |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | Commander of 60th Infantry Platoon Chief of Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | Somali Civil War |
Career
editAfter finishing his secondary school education in 2000, Rageh enlisted in the Somali Army under the Transitional Federal Government. Shortly after enlisting Rageh was sent to Uganda for military training specifically VIP Protection. Once he was back in the country, he went on to provide basic training for new recruits.[1]
In the year 2009, Odowaa was sent to Sudan for Officer training and came back in 2010 to be promoted as a First Lieutenant. Upon commission, he became one of the Officers in charge of Villa Somalia Protection.
In 2013, Rageh was sent to Turkey for special training that involved infantry commanding, foreign languages, and logistics of the Army. Shortly after coming back, Odowaa was then again sent back to Turkey in the end of 2014 to the ciidanka xoogga dalka Soomaaliya Also known as "The Army War Institute" in Turkiye where he spent the next two years learning and understanding the core principles of leading a modern army. Before he was sent to Turkey, Rageh was given the rank of Major.
Upon successfully completing his course at the Turkish Army War College, Rageh was appointed as head of 60th Platoon which was part of the Villa Somalia Protection.
Beginning of 2018, he became Lieutenant Colonel and towards the end of 2020, he became head of the Somali National Army Infantry with his new rank as Brigadier General.[2]
Rageh survived an assassination attempt in July 2020.[3] By the first quarter of 2023, Rageh was promoted to the rank of Major General.
During June 2023, Rageh was replaced as chief of the Somali Armed Forces by General Ibrahim Muhyiddin. In November 2024, Rageh was reinstated as commander of the armed forces.[4][5]
Promotions
edit| Rank with Insignia in English and Somali | Year of Promotion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Second Lieutenant (Xaddigle)
|
2007 | |
 First Lieutenant (laba-Xiddigle)
|
2010 | |
 Captain (Dhamme)
|
2012 | |
 Major (Gashaanle)
|
2014 | |
 Lieutenant Colonel (Gashaanle Dhexe)
|
2016 | |
 Colonel (Gashaanle Sare)
|
2018 | |
 Brigadier General (Sareeye Guuto)
|
2020 | |
| Major General (Gashaanle Guuto)
|
2023 |
Chief of Army
editOn 27 August 2020, Brigadier General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh was appointed as the Chief of the Army[6]
On 19 June 2023, Odowaa Yusuf Rageh was replaced by the Somali cabinet, and General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow was selected as new Chief of the Army.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Waa kumaa Janaraal Odowaa, ninka mar labaad loo magacaabay taliyaha ciidanka xoogga dalka Soomaaliya?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "New Head of Infantry". 17 August 2018.
- ^ "Somalia's army chief survives bombing of his convoy; 1 dead". ABC News. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Somali government reappoints General Odowa Raage as Somali National Army (SNA) Commander". Hiiraan Online. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Somali Cabinet Backs Former Army Chief for Return Stint". Bloomberg News. 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Somalia: New Somali Army Chief Takes Office".
- ^ Dhaysane, Mohammed (June 19, 2023). "Somalia sacks army chief, names Brig-Gen Addow as new commander amid tensions in Hiran region". Andolu Agency. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
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