Türkiye and Somalia are reinforcing their military partnership as Ankara continues to support the rebuilding and professionalisation of Somalia’s armed forces, with training, counterterrorism cooperation and institutional capacity-building remaining central to the relationship.
The latest engagement came during a visit by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Somalia, Ferhat Alkan, to the Somali Turkish Task Force Command (STTK), where he held consultations with STTK Commander Major General Sebahattin Kalkan on security and military cooperation.
The STTK continues to support Somalia’s fight against terrorism while working in coordination with the Somali armed forces to strengthen security, peace and stability.
The meeting comes at a time when Türkiye and Somalia are expanding a defence relationship that has developed into one of Ankara’s most significant security partnerships in Africa. Türkiye has maintained a military training presence in Mogadishu through TURKSOM since 2017, providing training and support aimed at strengthening the Somali National Armed Forces.
The partnership has also gained a broader strategic dimension. In February 2024, Türkiye and Somalia signed a 10-year Defence and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, under which Türkiye committed to support Somalia in developing, training and equipping its naval forces and strengthening maritime security. Somalia’s government says the agreement is intended to improve the protection of its territorial waters and address threats including piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime security challenges.
The agreement has expanded military cooperation beyond training at TURKSOM to include defence assistance and maritime security. Türkiye has also continued to provide training, assistance and advisory support to help Somalia rebuild its security institutions and develop forces capable of assuming greater responsibility for national security.
The Turkish Parliament in July 2026 approved the extension of the deployment of Turkish armed forces in Somalia for another two years from July 27, 2026. The mandate is intended to support Somalia against terrorism and other security threats and continues Ankara’s military assistance under the bilateral defence framework.
The latest ambassadorial visit therefore underscores the continuing political and military coordination surrounding TURKSOM and the wider Türkiye-Somalia security partnership.
The training component remains particularly important as Somalia seeks to strengthen its national forces and gradually assume greater responsibility for counterterrorism and internal security operations.
Recent engagements involving Major General Kalkan have also focused on strengthening the capabilities of Somali forces. On September 21, Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi received Kalkan and a Turkish military delegation, with discussions centred on defence cooperation, military training and enhancing the capabilities of the Somali National Armed Forces. Somali authorities commended TURKSOM for contributing to the professional development of Somali military personnel.
The cooperation also extends to logistical and institutional development. In June 2026, the Somali National Army Logistics Command and TURKSOM held consultations on improving military training standards, logistical coordination and institutional cooperation.
For Somalia, the partnership provides continued external support as Mogadishu works to develop capable national security institutions and confront persistent terrorist threats. For Türkiye, Somalia remains an important partner in the Horn of Africa, with the relationship encompassing defence, maritime security, economic cooperation and broader diplomatic ties.
The continued engagement between Ambassador Alkan, the STTK leadership and Somali military institutions demonstrates that Türkiye-Somalia defence cooperation is moving beyond individual training programmes towards a broader framework of long-term security cooperation.
As the STTK continues its mission alongside Somali forces, Ankara’s military engagement remains focused on supporting Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its security institutions, combat terrorism and build the capacity required for greater national ownership of security and stability.
The 2026 context is particularly useful for the story: Türkiye’s parliament has extended the Turkish military mission in Somalia for another two years, while Somalia and Türkiye continue implementing the 2024 10-year defence and economic cooperation framework.
