MANISA, Turkey — Somali and Turkish military commanders have overseen the graduation of the 21st Brigade, 1st Division of Somalia’s Gorgor commando forces following an advanced training programme in the Turkish city of Manisa.
Somalia’s Land Forces commander, Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar Khaalid, and his Turkish counterpart, General Metin Tokel, attended the graduation ceremony marking the completion of the training.
The ceremony was described as historic because the brigade is the first complete Gorgor commando unit to undergo training together at the same time and in the same location.
The training forms part of efforts to strengthen and modernise Somalia’s armed forces and prepare troops to carry out their national duties with greater operational capability, skills and coordination.
The graduation comes as Somalia’s military steps up preparations for large-scale operations against armed groups, with the stated aim of improving security and restoring stability across the country.
Turkey has been a key military partner of Somalia, providing training and support to Somali forces, including through its military training facilities in Turkey and its defence cooperation programmes with Mogadishu.
