SSB (militia)

The SSB Civil Force (short for Sool, Sanaag, Buhoodle) (Somali: Ciidamada Madaniga SSB) is a paramilitary clan militia that operates in the Sool, Sanaag and Togdheer regions of Somaliland. The militia was formed by and is affiliated with the Habr Je'lo clan, part of the wider Isaaq clan-family.

The SSB was formed on October 2023 in Qorilugud, Togdheer region, and was formed as a regional security force, prompted by clashes between Somaliland forces and SSC-Khatumo fighters, drawing members from local Habr Je'lo clan militias in Sanaag and Togdheer regions. The SSB's main mandate is to defend and secure Habr Je'lo tribal territory. The militia has been involved in counterinsurgency operations against SSC-Khatumo forces.

On March 1, Somaliland officially integrated the first battalion of the SSB clan militia into its armed forces following days of negotiations in the Sanaag region, integrating two more on March 4. However, tensions have emerged over the Somaliland government's plan to integrate local clan militias, particularly the SSB as well as the G36 militia, into the national security forces, with many locals complaining they would lose their ability to act autonomously in local security matters and marginalization within the central command.

The process has since been completed, with around 6,000 clan militias having been integrated into the national army without international assistance despite the Irro administration inheriting empty coffers and an estimated USD 81 million in debts from the previous Muse Bihi administration.