By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — A military aircraft belonging to the Turkish Air Force landed at Aden Adde International Airport on Thursday after departing from Ankara, in what security sources say was a mission to return a contingent of Somali soldiers from the elite Gorgor (Eagle) unit who had completed advanced training in Turkey.
Although Somali authorities have not yet released an official statement, several security sources told local media that the returning troops were part of the longstanding military cooperation programme between Somalia and Turkey, one of the largest bilateral initiatives supporting the rebuilding of the Somali National Army.
The soldiers are believed to have undergone months of intensive training that focused on combat readiness, counter-terrorism operations, leadership development, and modern infantry tactics. Their return marks another rotation within the continuous cycle of Somali forces receiving training abroad.
Witnesses at the airport reported heightened security as the plane landed, with the soldiers quickly transported to military facilities for standard processing before rejoining operational units.
Turkey has remained a key defence partner for Somalia for more than a decade, offering training, equipment, and strategic guidance through the Turkish Military Training Base in Mogadishu—widely known as TÜRKSOM—as well as through advanced courses conducted in Turkey.
The arrival of the latest batch of Gorgor troops comes at a critical moment, as Somalia intensifies military operations against Al-Shabaab across multiple regions. Analysts say the steady return of trained forces reflects the government’s push to professionalise the army and strengthen its capacity ahead of major security transitions.
Further details regarding the number of troops on board and their deployment plans are expected from Somali defence officials in the coming days.
