Somalia and Turkey have held high-level security discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral military cooperation, with particular emphasis on airstrike support for Somali forces during ongoing counterterrorism operations.

The meeting brought together Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, and senior military officials from both countries. Discussions focused on enhancing strategic defence cooperation and expanding joint efforts in the fight against militant groups operating in Somalia.

Senior officials attending the talks included the Commander of the Somali Land Forces, Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, and the Commander of TÜRKSOM, Major General Sebahattin Kalkan, alongside other high-ranking military officers.

According to a statement issued by the Somali Ministry of Defence, the two sides agreed to intensify cooperation in military training, defence capacity-building, and operational support, including aerial assistance during security operations conducted by Somali forces.

Speaking during the meeting, Minister Fiqi praised Türkiye’s continued support for Somalia’s security sector and its contribution to the fight against Al-Shabaab. He noted that Türkiye has played a significant role in rebuilding the Somali National Armed Forces through extensive training programmes conducted at military academies and training facilities both inside Somalia and abroad.

Türkiye remains one of Somalia’s key security partners and has maintained a strong military presence through the TÜRKSOM training base in Mogadishu, where hundreds of Somali troops have received advanced military training.

The Somali National Armed Forces continue to receive support from international allies, particularly Türkiye and the United States, both of which have been actively involved in counterterrorism operations targeting Al-Shabaab and ISIS militants in Somalia.