MOGADISHU, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said it handed over the Raga Ceel military base to the Somali National Army (SNA) Thursday as part of an ongoing troop redeployment to enhance the fight against terrorism.

ATMIS chief logistics officer Jean Bosco Sibondavyi said the handover "did not violate" Somalia's request for a technical pause of the drawdown of ATMIS troops for three months.

"This handover was supposed to have been done last month, but as you are all aware, the Government of Somalia requested for a technical pause of the drawdown which the AU Peace and Security Council has agreed to," said Sibondavyi who presided over the handover ceremony, in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

He said the agreement to proceed with the handover was reached in consensus with the SNA due to operational activity needs in Sector 5. "The troops taking over this forward operating base (military base) will reinforce other forward operating bases," he added.

ATMIS was expected to scale down its troop numbers in September by a further 3,000 personnel after successfully withdrawing 2,000 troops and handing over six military bases in June.

Sibondavyi said that the troops from ATMIS 68th Battalion will move to other parts within the federal member state to participate in joint military operations and also support the SNA to hold liberated areas to maintain security and stability.

Located in the Middle Shabelle region, the Raga Ceel base has been under the control of the Burundi National Defense Forces (BNDF) troops, who oversee security in ATMIS Sector 5 Area of Responsibility.

"This is a significant step for both ATMIS and the Somali National Army. As we transfer our responsibility of this FOB (forward operating base) to SNA, I am confident that they will protect and defend the safety, security, and human rights of Somali people," said Jean Baptise Nahishakiye, commander of the ATMIS Burundi troops, 68th Battalion, who handed over the base.

Idow Ali Mohamed, the incoming SNA commander for the Raga Ceel base, lauded the ATMIS Burundi troops for conducting joint offensives with SNA against al-Shabab, stabilizing liberated territories and maintaining security in the region.

"I am extremely happy that we are taking control of Raga Ceel from ATMIS forces. We pledge to walk in their footsteps by maintaining peace and security while ensuring that the human rights of the residents are safeguarded," Idow said.

The AU mission said the reorganization of the ATMIS and SNA troop deployment is expected to bolster the ongoing military offensive in the Middle Shabelle region where the joint forces have registered significant gains and dislodged al-Shabab from vast territories.