Mogadishu, Somalia — At Türkiye’s vast military base in Mogadishu — the largest it operates overseas — young Somali recruits begin their day at dawn, sprinting across the parade ground under the sharp commands of Turkish instructors. For many, it is their first time in formal uniform; by the end of their course, they emerge as some of the country’s most disciplined soldiers.
Since its establishment on September 30, 2017, the Somali Turkish Task Force Command has trained over 5,000 Somali security personnel. The programme stems from defense agreements dating back to 2010 and has grown into one of the most influential foreign-led military initiatives in Somalia.
The training goes far beyond marching drills. Cadets learn urban warfare tactics, physical endurance, weapons handling and counter-terror operations — crucial skills in a nation still battling al-Shabaab insurgents. Graduates have formed elite units such as the Gorgor (Eagle) commandos, now deployed across frontlines in HirShabelle, Galmudug and Jubbaland.
The partnership extends beyond Somalia’s borders, with hundreds of officers sent to Turkey for advanced training at NATO-standard academies. Officials in Mogadishu credit the mission with helping transform the army from fragmented clan-based groups into a more unified national force.
Beyond strategy, there is symbolism. Graduation ceremonies often see Turkish and Somali flags waved side by side — a sign that this alliance is not merely transactional but rooted in shared resilience.