Mogadishu, Somalia — The Chief of the Somali Navy, General Abdiwahab Omar, met with Admiral Ercüment Tatlioğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, to advance cooperation in the rebuilding of Somalia’s maritime defense capabilities. The high-level meeting underscores Turkey’s enduring commitment to supporting Somalia’s security sector reform, with a strong focus on naval capacity development.
Discussions centered on Turkey’s continued role in training Somali naval personnel, delivering essential maritime equipment, and helping reestablish a fully operational Somali Navy capable of safeguarding the country’s vast coastline — one of the longest in Africa.
Gen. Omar emphasized that rebuilding the Somali Navy is critical for protecting national sovereignty, deterring piracy, and curbing illegal fishing in Somali waters. He welcomed Turkey’s support as “strategic and timely,” particularly as Somalia works toward restoring control over its maritime domain after decades of conflict and instability.
Admiral Tatlioğlu reaffirmed Turkey’s long-term defense partnership with Somalia, saying, “A secure and stable Somalia is in the interest of the region and the world. The Turkish Navy is committed to providing training, mentorship, and equipment to help rebuild Somali maritime power.”
This meeting follows the recent expansion of the Somalia-Turkey defense agreement signed in Istanbul, which included enhanced provisions for naval cooperation. Turkey has already trained dozens of Somali naval officers and provided patrol boats, contributing to increased maritime surveillance along Somalia’s Indian Ocean and Red Sea corridors.
The Somali Navy, once a formidable force in the Horn of Africa, was decimated during the civil war but is now undergoing a slow but determined revival, bolstered by regional and international allies like Türkiye.
Both sides agreed to accelerate joint initiatives, including the establishment of a naval training school in Somalia and joint maritime exercises aimed at improving interoperability and operational readiness.