Somalia is accelerating efforts to rebuild its armed forces through a series of high-level defense talks with Türkiye and Pakistan, focusing on military training, air-force development and broader security cooperation.
On September 21, Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi held talks in Mogadishu with a Turkish military delegation led by Maj Gen Sabahattin Kalkan, commander of the TURKSOM military training academy, according to the Somalian defense ministry’s website.
The meeting focused on strengthening defense cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye, particularly in training and enhancing the capabilities of the Somali National Armed Forces.
The minister commended TURKSOM’s role in training and developing the professional skills of Somali military personnel, and thanked the Government of Türkiye for its continued support for Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its armed forces and ensure the country’s security and stability.
Türkiye remains one of Somalia’s principal military partners and operates the TURKSOM training base in Mogadishu, which has become a cornerstone of efforts to build elite units such as the Gorgor brigades. Recent months have also seen Somali Gorgor commandos undertaking advanced commando training in Türkiye under the two countries’ long-standing military-education agreement.
On September 20, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received a senior Pakistan Air Force delegation led by Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, Commander of Air Defence and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. Discussions focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and advancing defense cooperation, particularly in rebuilding and enhancing the capabilities of the Somali Air Force.
The Somalian president emphasized the importance of defense cooperation in strengthening the Somali National Armed Forces and safeguarding the country’s security, sovereignty and unity.
These meetings underscore Somalia’s strategy of diversifying its security partnerships to address persistent threats from al-Shabaab and to develop credible national institutions across the army, air force and navy.
