Mogadishu, Feb 15 (AP) The US will build up to five military bases for the Somali army in a project that seeks to bolster the Somalian national army's capabilities amid ongoing threats from an extremist group.

Somalia's defense minister and the US charge d'affaires signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi's Qatar Visit Focused on Strengthening Economic Ties, Fostering Strategic Partnerships, Says MEA.

The agreement comes at a time when the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as ATMIS, is scaling back its presence in Somalia.

The new bases will be associated with the Somali military's Danab Brigade, established in 2017 following an agreement between the US and Somalia to recruit, train, equip and mentor 3,000 men and women from across Somalia to build a strong infantry capability within the Somali army.

Also Read | Pakistan: Imran Khan's Party Nominates Omar Ayub Khan As PM Candidate.

The brigade has been pivotal as a quick-reaction force in efforts to repel the extremist group al-Shabab.

The UN Security Council has authorised the reduction of the peacekeeping force in Somalia, and the Somali government says it is achieving progress in improving security.

But al-Shabab continues to carry out sporadic attacks across Somalia, including in public places. The group's latest attack, an incident inside a military base in Mogadishu, killed four Emirati troops and a Bahraini military officer.(AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)