Turkey interests in Somalia has grown over the past few years. Ankara has stepped up to support Mogadishu in the fight against the Al-Qaeda branch in East Africa.
The Turkish government continue to support Somalia in the areas on military cooperation and according to Mehmet Yilmaz, the Turkish ambassador to Somalia, Ankara will continue supporting Mogadishu in this area, training and equipping the Somali National Army (SNA) noting that a stable Somalia can only be realized by a formidable military force which will take over security responsibilities.
Turkey is responsible for training SNA Gor Gor troops in Turk-Som military academy in Mogadishu. Turkey is able to trains up to 1,500 Gor Gor Special Forces at ago and extending its support to them in their field operations against Al-Shabaab in across the regions of Somalia.
During the function, Turkey envoy to Somalia handed over 12 Armored Personnel Vehicles (APCs) to the SNA chief Gen. Yusuf Rageh Odawaa aimed at boosting Gor Gor troops operations across the country’s regions. The troops are taking part in the ongoing anti-Al-Shabaab campaigns which have lasted for several months now. Last week Monday, Turkey delivered 12 off-road vehicles to Somalia as part of bilateral military and financial cooperation agreements, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry.
The Somalia military chief, Yusuf Rageh and Somali Defense Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed, thanked the Turkish government for their vital role in reviving the country’s army noting the support comes at a time Somalia is preparing for a post-AMISOM transition, which is likely to be by end of 2021.
