1 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –A Kenya Defence Forces service member shows U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, how to use his weapon system during exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations Center in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 13, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joskanny J. Lua) VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, greet the Somali Danab during exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations Center in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 13, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joskanny J. Lua) VIEW ORIGINAL
NAIROBI, Kenya — On the front lines of Somalia’s battle against al-Shabaab, Somali soldiers remain committed to securing their country’s future — and they are not alone.
Somali Sgt. Mubaarak Abdi Mohamed and Sgt. Hussein Dahir Muhammad, infantrymen with the Somali National Army, trained alongside U.S. Army Soldiers at Justified Accord 2025, a multinational exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa. The exercise focuses on strengthening multinational partnerships, enhancing interoperability, and improving regional security capabilities.
Alongside Somali soldiers in Kenya stand paratroopers with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, who are helping improve partner force readiness. The exercise, hosted by Kenya, brings together 15 nations, including regional partners like the Kenya Defence Forces and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, to sharpen crisis response and security cooperation efforts.
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, greet the Somali Danab during exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations Center in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 13, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joskanny J. Lua)U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, join the Kenya Defence Forces and Somali Danab in a mass formation during exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations center in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 13, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joskanny J. Lua)VIEW ORIGINAL
While Somalia continues its fight against terrorism, exercises like Justified Accord 25 allow Somali Danab forces to train alongside international partners, enhancing their capabilities through scenario-based drills and multinational coordination.
As part of the exercise, forces from across Europe, Africa, and North America will participate in a culminating field training scenario, focused on crisis response and multinational cooperation. Training includes urban operations, joint maneuver tactics, and security force coordination — critical skills for ensuring stability in East Africa.
“They [the U.S.] always give us their precious time,” Hussein Dahir said. “It is nice.”
Running from Feb. 10–21, Justified Accord 25 reinforces the long-standing partnerships between the U.S., African nations, and allied forces. The 173rd Airborne Brigade’s participation underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to supporting African partners in strengthening security and regional stability.