Turkish trained Somali soldiers conclude 1 year training in Mogadishu

A group of 185 Somali soldiers trained in the Turkish built military academy in Mogadishu graduated today.

The new recruits composed of the navy, ground forces and air force passed out in a colorful ceremony one year after they undertook the training.

The academy which opened last September has been billed as the largest oversees Turkish military centre estimated to cost $50 million.

Somali Chief of Defence Forces Major Gen. Dahir Aden Elmi said today’s graduation is testimony of the Turkish government’s commitment to build Somalia’s army.

“The Turkish government promised to build and to train the national army to the higestr standards to defend the nation,” Gen. Elmi said

“The event today is a clear evidence on how the Turkish government is supporting Somalia to build the national army after so many years of war in the country.”

The first group of cadets graduated in December last year and a number of others have successfully completed training in subsequent months. Officials at the academy said another group of 185 recruits will start the training soon.

The soldiers are expected to boost the National Army numbers as they battle alongside African Union forces against the militant group. African Union forces, Amisom started a phased draw-down last December with the first batch of 1,000 soldiers leaving.

The UN Security Council delayed the second withdrawal which was slated for this month to February 2019 following concerns raised by African Union that the withdrawals were immature and could derail progress made so far.