Somali Army Commander Meets Turkish Defence Minister in Ankara to Bolster Security Ties

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ANKARA — Somali National Army Commander Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud met with Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence, Yaşar Güler, in Ankara on Tuesday as part of an official visit aimed at deepening defense and security cooperation between the two nations.

The visit, which comes at the invitation of Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, focused on advancing military training programs, exchanging technical expertise, and boosting the operational capabilities of the Somali National Army as it continues its fight against insurgent groups.

Background: A Deepening Defense Partnership

The meeting underscores the increasingly strategic defense relationship between Mogadishu and Ankara. Türkiye has emerged as one of Somalia’s most prominent security partners over the past decade, playing a pivotal role in the reconstruction and professionalization of the Somali National Army following decades of conflict.

In 2017, Türkiye established its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, known as TURKSOM, where Turkish military personnel have trained thousands of Somali soldiers in infantry tactics, counter-insurgency operations, and military logistics. The facility symbolizes Ankara’s long-term commitment to Somalia’s stability and has become a cornerstone of bilateral defense relations.

The cooperation has expanded significantly in recent years. In February 2024, Somalia and Türkiye signed a comprehensive defense and economic cooperation agreement that further solidified military collaboration, including provisions for maritime security support in Somalia’s territorial waters—a critical area given ongoing concerns about illegal fishing and security in the Indian Ocean.

Türkiye has also supplied military equipment and provided advisory support to Somali forces engaged in offensive operations against Al-Shabaab, the militant group that has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for over 15 years. As Somali forces, backed by international partners, have intensified their campaign to reclaim territory from the group, the need for sustained training and capacity-building has become more urgent.

Tuesday’s discussions between Brig. Gen. Mohamud and Minister Güler are expected to pave the way for expanded training initiatives and potential new agreements on defense infrastructure and intelligence sharing. Both sides emphasized their shared commitment to regional stability and the importance of a strong, professional Somali military in securing lasting peace in the Horn of Africa.

The Somali commander’s itinerary in Ankara also includes meetings with senior Turkish military officials to review ongoing programs and identify new areas for technical cooperation.