Police Chief Graduates Haramcad Commandos at TURKSOM Academy

MOGADISHU — The Commander of the Somali Police Force, Major General Asad Osman, has presided over the graduation ceremony of specialised Haramcad commandos at the TURKSOM Military Academy in Mogadishu, marking another milestone in the professionalisation of Somalia’s police forces.

The Haramcad troops were trained in high-risk operational tactics, particularly in areas used by Khawaarij militants as hideouts, rapid response to attacks, civilian protection during armed confrontations, the use of various weapons systems, modern technology applications, and strategies for ensuring overall national security.

Commander Asad praised the troops for their discipline and resilience throughout the training period and expressed special appreciation to the instructors and personnel who conducted the training. He urged the forces to fully apply the knowledge and lessons they had acquired to ensure the security and safety of the public.

The Haramcad unit has received extensive Turkish support through training, equipment provision, and modernization programs, with discussions between Somali police leadership and Turkish delegations focusing on developing training initiatives and enhancing the capabilities of the Somali Police Force.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously attended graduation ceremonies at the TURKSOM academy, commending soldiers for excelling in their training as part of the ongoing partnership with Turkey to strengthen Somalia’s defence capabilities.

Deepening Somalia-Turkey Security Partnership

The graduation follows a series of high-level security engagements between Somalia and Turkey. The Turkish-Somali Task Force (TURKSOM), commanded by General Sebahattin Kalkan, has played an increasingly prominent role in building the capacity of Somali forces, including the training of the elite Gorgor commando brigades. Turkish military advisors have been instrumental in training Somali commandos and providing advanced equipment.

Since its establishment in September 2017, the Somali Turkish Task Force Command has trained over 5,000 Somali security personnel. The TURKSOM Academy remains a cornerstone in Somalia’s journey towards building a capable, self-reliant, and professional national army, with the partnership strengthening security institutions and advancing shared commitment to regional stability.

Turkey has been a key ally in Somalia’s security sector, offering multifaceted assistance that has significantly contributed to the country’s stabilisation efforts through training, equipping, and modernising units.

Somali forces and Turkish advisers have conducted joint humanitarian operations in areas recently liberated from militant control, reflecting a broader counter-insurgency doctrine that blends kinetic action with community engagement.

Critical Note

While the graduation of the Haramcad commandos represents progress in building Somalia’s security capacity, the effectiveness of these forces will ultimately depend on their integration into the broader security architecture and their ability to operate within a framework of rule of law and respect for human rights. The training programme’s emphasis on human rights and ethical conduct is a positive development, but it must be accompanied by accountability mechanisms to ensure that violations are addressed.

Furthermore, the expansion of specialised police units must be balanced with investment in community policing and the broader criminal justice system. The Somali people, who have endured decades of conflict, deserve a police force that protects them and upholds the law, rather than one that becomes a source of fear or repression.