The Chief of Defence Force (Somali: Taliyaha Ciidanka Xooga Somaaliyeed) is the professional head of the Somali Armed Forces.

He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of all branches of the Somali military (Army, Navy and Air Force) and thus is the direct superior to both the Chief of the Navy and the Chief of the Air Force.

The post has however only been held by Army officers and the term limit is 2 years.

[citation needed] Typically the rank held by the Chiefs is brigadier general, though some, notable Dahir Adan Elmi were granted the rank of major general.

He was promoted to major-general in the last days of his tenure, being listed as such in a Somali government briefing of June 21, 2023.