MOGADISHU/DOHA, (HAN) – Qatar, which previously supplied Somalia with Turkish-manufactured combat aircraft, is set to finalize a new defense agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia, according to a statement released following a Somali Cabinet meeting.
Sources familiar with the matter told Inside Somalia that the pact will partly focus on equipping and financing nearly 1,500 Somali soldiers. These troops, who completed extensive training programs in Qatar, are expected to return to Somalia in the coming weeks.
The defense deal is anticipated to provide a significant boost to Somalia’s security sector at a critical time, as Mogadishu continues efforts to rebuild its national defense forces and combat threats posed by the militants and other militant groups.
If confirmed, the agreement would further cement Doha’s role as a strategic security partner for Somalia, complementing the longstanding support provided by Turkey and other international allies. Analysts note that Qatar’s financial and logistical backing could be instrumental in sustaining Somalia’s growing security responsibilities.
Since the collapse of its central government in 1991, Somalia has relied heavily on international partners to train and equip its army. Turkey has been one of the most influential actors over the past decade, establishing a major military base in Mogadishu and training thousands of Somali soldiers.
Qatar has gradually expanded its role in recent years, not only by hosting Somali recruits for training but also by supplying military equipment. The return of the 1,500 Qatari-trained soldiers underscores Doha’s deepening involvement in Somalia’s defense sector.
This development comes as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) prepares to complete its withdrawal by the end of 2024. Somali forces are expected to take over full security responsibilities, a transition that requires steady funding, equipment, and manpower.
The proposed Somalia–Qatar defense pact also reflects a broader pattern of Gulf states seeking to expand influence in the Horn of Africa, a region where strategic interests intersect with fragile state recovery. For Mogadishu, such alliances are viewed as essential to its long-term stability and sovereignty.
