ANKARA — Somalia and Türkiye discussed ways to deepen defence and security cooperation during high-level talks in Ankara between Somali Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud and senior Turkish defence officials.
Mohamud met Türkiye’s Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu as the two sides explored opportunities to strengthen their security partnership.
The discussions focused on closer defence cooperation and continued coordination between the two countries’ security institutions, according to officials.
Türkiye has emerged as one of Somalia’s key defence partners, providing military training, capacity-building and other forms of security support as Mogadishu works to strengthen its national forces and assume greater responsibility for the country’s security.
The talks come as Somalia seeks to expand international partnerships while its security forces take on a larger role in the fight against Al-Shabaab and prepare for the gradual transition of responsibilities from international missions.
The engagement also underscores the broader strategic relationship between Mogadishu and Ankara, which extends beyond security to include development, trade, infrastructure and humanitarian cooperation.
Somali and Turkish officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of continued cooperation as Somalia works to build a more capable and professional national security force.
