Somalia, Turkey Deepen Military Training Partnership As Somali Commandos Complete Training

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MANISA: Somalia and Turkey have reaffirmed their defence partnership with the completion of a training programme for members of Somalia’s Eagle commando unit, as the country continues efforts to strengthen the capacity and professionalism of its national armed forces.

Somalia’s Land Forces Commander, Brig. Gen. Sahal Abdullahi Omar, and his Turkish counterpart, Gen. Metin Tokel, attended a ceremony in the Turkish city of Manisa marking the completion of the programme.

The training focused on military skills, discipline, cohesion and operational readiness, according to Somali officials. The programme formed part of a wider series of military courses Somali forces have undertaken in Turkey.

The completion of the course comes as Somalia seeks to build forces capable of taking greater responsibility for national security while continuing its campaign against Al Shabaab and other armed groups.

Turkey has become one of Somalia’s principal security partners over the past decade. Ankara operates the TURKSOM military training facility in Mogadishu, where Somali soldiers and officers receive training as part of efforts to rebuild the country’s armed forces.

The two countries have continued to expand that cooperation this year. In June, senior Somali military officials and the commander of the Turkish military training school in Mogadishu discussed improving training standards, logistical coordination and the professional development of Somali forces.

The latest ceremony also follows a July visit to Mogadishu by Gen. Tokel, during which he held talks with Gen. Sahal on strengthening military cooperation and improving the capabilities and readiness of the Somali National Army.

For Somalia, the challenge extends beyond producing trained personnel. The government is seeking to build a national security structure with stronger institutions, leadership, logistics and command capacity as responsibility for security increasingly shifts towards Somali forces.

The training partnership with Turkey is therefore part of a broader effort to develop the Somali military over the longer term rather than relying solely on short-term operational support.

The latest graduating contingent is expected to return to Somalia with additional professional training that officials say will contribute to the country’s wider efforts to strengthen its armed forces and improve security.