Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to visit Türkiye on March 27 to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism and defense, reliable sources confirmed to WAJ. His visit comes as Somalia begins deploying Turkish-made Akıncı drones in its aerial campaign against Al-Shabaab militants.
The Akıncı drones, known for their advanced surveillance and strike capabilities, are expected to significantly boost Somalia’s military operations against the armed group. A Somali defense official, speaking to WAJ on condition of anonymity, stated that “the new drone capabilities, combined with ongoing ground operations, will shift the momentum against Al-Shabaab.”
Türkiye has played a pivotal role in Somalia’s security, training thousands of elite Somali Gorgor forces and maintaining a military base in Mogadishu. “President Mohamud’s visit aims to deepen security ties with Türkiye, which remains one of Somalia’s strongest defense partners.” Said a regional analyst
President Mohamud’s trip follows his recent visit to Azerbaijan, where he signed multilateral agreements aimed at strengthening Somalia’s international partnerships. His meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara highlights Türkiye’s growing role in supporting Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab and ensuring regional stability.
As Somalia continues its military push to neutralize Al-Shabaab’s threat to Mogadishu and other regions, the strategic defense alliance with Türkiye remains crucial in shaping the country’s security landscape.