Following the latest political tension in the Horn of Africa, notably after the announcement of the Egyptian army’s potential presence in the coming months in Somalia, the tension has spiked. Similarly, tons of content, on both social media and mainstream media are reaching out to the people regardless of their accuracy. Haq Check has reviewed various contents regarding this topic and debunked some based on the parameters set already.
A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) has been circulating, making a false claim about Egyptian soldiers training in Somalia. The post includes a video that appears to show Egyptian troops in training, stating that these are the soldiers who Egyptians and Somalis rely on to attack Ethiopia. However, this claim is unfounded and misleading.
Upon closer examination, it has been determined that the video in question does not depict recent events in Somalia. Instead, it was found on a YouTube account called Kartony Kurdy dating back more than seven years ago with the caption “The secret was revealed … why the Iraqi army took Mosul slowly and in a long time!!!”.
The Battle of Mosul was a significant military operation that took place from October 2016 to July 2017. The goal was to recapture Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, from the Islamic State (ISIL), which had controlled it since June 2014 with IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The operation was led by Iraqi government forces, supported by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, various militias, and an international coalition, including the United States. The battle was marked by intense urban combat, with ISIL using tactics like suicide bombings, small drones, and booby traps. After nine months of fierce fighting, Iraqi forces declared victory in July 2017, successfully liberating the city from ISIL control.
This indicates that the content is outdated and does not reflect the current situation.
Also in the video the flag on the vehicle as well as on the ground does not represent Egypt but rather Iraq’s.
Egyptian Flag
The false claim likely stems from the recent deployment of Egyptian troops to Somalia following rising tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. The presence of Egyptian forces in the region has sparked speculation and concern, leading to the dissemination of inaccurate information.
It is important to verify the authenticity and accuracy of information shared on social media platforms. In this case, the video’s age and the lack of evidence supporting the claim clearly demonstrate its falsity.
