The United States has reopened its embassy in Somalia, nearly three decades after the country collapsed into civil war.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy said the opening reflects recent progress in the Horn of Africa nation, which still faces attacks by al-Qaeda-linked extremists. 

Washington shut down the embassy in 1991 when then-president Siad Barre was ousted, plunging the Horn of African nation into chaos.

U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto described the re-establishment as a "significant and a historic day that reflects Somalia's progress in recent years." He said the embassy will "enhance cooperation, advance U.S. national strategic interests, and support our overall security, political, and economic development goals and objectives.”

The announcement coincided with the conclusion of the Somali Partnership Forum, a two-day meeting between Somali leaders and international community held in Mogadishu for the first time.

During the meeting, the U.S. Agency for International Development announced nearly $257 million in new humanitarian assistance to Somalia. The new humanitarian package brings U.S. total assistance to Somalia to just under a half-billion dollars this year.

(With input from VoA and U.S. Embassy, Somalia)