Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has met with Turkish General Sabahattin Kılınç, head of the Turkish Armed Forces’ International Joint Strategic Command, to discuss strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries.
According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on “strategic cooperation, military coordination, the security situation in the Horn of Africa, counterterrorism efforts and foreign interference involving support for militant groups” .
Fiqi commended Türkiye for its support to Somalia’s efforts to combat terrorist organisations and strengthen national security.
The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Defence’s Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Ali Mohamed; Somali National Army Deputy Commander, Major General Mohamed Ali Barise; and the Commander of the TURKSOM Military Training Centre, Major General Sabahattin Kalkan.
The discussions come as Uganda begins withdrawing troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral security arrangements and prepares to gradually pull out all its forces, including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), by the end of 2027.
Türkiye has been a key security partner of Somalia, supporting the training and development of Somali military personnel through bilateral defence cooperation, including the TURKSOM training facility in Mogadishu.
Mustaqbal
