MOGADISHU: Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi, Commander of the Somali Police Force (SPF), welcomed a senior delegation from the Turkish government in the capital city for talks focused on expanding bilateral security cooperation and strengthening governmental relations between the two nations.
The meeting, which took place at SPF headquarters, centered on developing training initiatives and enhancing the capabilities of the Somali Police Force. Special attention was given to the elite Haramcad unit, a specialized police commando force that has received extensive Turkish support through training, equipment provision, and modernization programs. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism and improving operational capabilities through continued collaboration.
The visit comes amid a sustained period of deepening security cooperation between Somalia and Turkey, which has emerged as one of Somalia’s closest security and development allies over the past decade. Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi was appointed as the new Somali Police Force Commissioner in September 2025, bringing extensive experience in security sector leadership and a commitment to community-centered policing strategies.
Deepening Somalia-Turkey Security Ties
The meeting follows a series of high-level security engagements between the two countries. A high-level Turkish delegation led by Commander Ünsal Hayal of the Turkish Special Forces arrived in Mogadishu in January 2026 to reinforce the strategic partnership, with a primary focus on strengthening operational synergy between Turkish Special Forces and Somali security branches. The enduring Somalia-Turkey alliance has become a cornerstone of Somalia’s security architecture and institutional capacity building.
In February 2026, Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, General Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag), led a delegation to Türkiye for discussions on advanced training programs for Somali security forces, including specialized training in counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, and crisis management. That same month, several officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) departed for Türkiye to receive advanced anti-terrorism training.
Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi has previously emphasized the importance of community-police cooperation. Upon assuming office, he called for a community-centered strategy to build trust and cooperation between police officers and the public, highlighting that security is a shared responsibility.
Turkey’s ongoing support for the SPF, particularly through the training and equipping of the elite Haramcad unit, demonstrates Ankara’s commitment to strengthening Somalia’s law enforcement capacity. Such collaborations have played a crucial role in addressing security challenges and promoting stability in the region. This interaction further demonstrates the continued commitment of Somalia and Turkey to strengthen their partnership in security matters and institutional growth. The two sides are expected to follow up on the discussions with concrete implementation steps in the coming months.
