By Horn Africa News
Ankara — The governments of Turkey and Somalia have reached a vital agreement to unify the structure, training, and equipping of the Somali National Army (SNA) under the oversight of the Turkish military. The deal includes halting the previous practice of sending Somali troops for training in multiple foreign countries and consolidating all military instruction within a centralized Turkish framework.
The agreement, finalized recently in the Turkish capital, Ankara, stipulates that all Somali military training facilities in southern Somalia—except for the elite U.S.-trained Danab special forces—will be handed over to the Turkish government. Danab will remain under U.S. support, receiving equipment, salaries, logistical aid, and operational guidance directly from American military advisors.
Currently, all military training camps in the capital, Mogadishu, are managed by Turkish military personnel under the TurkSom training mission, a bilateral cooperation initiative launched in 2017. One of the key facilities to be transitioned under Turkish control is the military training camp in Baidoa, which was previously managed by the United Kingdom. The facility known as General Gordon Training Camp—formerly operated by the United Arab Emirates—is also now under Turkish command.
For years, the Somali armed forces have faced major challenges due to the fragmented nature of their training, with troops being educated and equipped differently based on the foreign country involved. This disjointed approach led to inconsistencies in tactics, communication, and command structures.
Turkey, which maintains one of the largest foreign military footprints in Somalia, has already completed the training of Somalia’s 17th, 18th, and 19th battalions. Turkish military advisors have now begun training the first unit of Somalia’s 2nd Brigade, marking a significant step in the effort to create a more unified and professional national army.
The Turkish-Somali military partnership is seen as part of a broader effort to stabilize Somalia’s security institutions and reduce reliance on external actors with differing doctrines. The consolidation of military training under Turkey’s guidance is expected to streamline command structures and enhance the operational readiness of Somali forces.
