Mogadishu – Somalia has marked another milestone in its security transformation with the graduation of a new cohort of elite troops from the Turkish-trained Gorgor Battalion.
Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji presided over the ceremony on Saturday at the TurkSom Military Academy in Mogadishu, one of the country’s most advanced training facilities established through Turkish-Somali defence cooperation.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored the national importance of the newly certified forces, stressing their future role in neutralizing extremist threats, protecting national institutions and strengthening Somalia’s sovereignty.
“These soldiers are not only guardians of our security but symbols of Somali unity. Their dedication represents a decisive step toward building a resilient, professional and capable national army,” he said.
The Gorgor Battalion has become one of Somalia’s most respected fighting units, known for its discipline, mobility and front-line engagement against militant groups. Turkey has been a central partner in revamping Somalia’s military infrastructure, training thousands of soldiers and equipping units deployed across key regions.
Officials at the ceremony described the graduation as a timely reinforcement for ongoing security operations aimed at dismantling Al-Shabaab strongholds and stabilising liberated areas.
Military commanders emphasized that the troops had completed intensive training in combat readiness, counterinsurgency tactics, urban warfare and national defence doctrine.
The event drew senior government and military officials, who praised the collaboration with Türkiye as a pillar of Somalia’s long-term security strategy.
With the graduation of this new unit, Somalia hopes to accelerate its transition toward self-reliance in defence and reduce dependency on foreign peacekeeping forces.