MOGADISHU — Turkish F-16 fighter jets and attack helicopters roared over Mogadishu on Sunday, celebrating the 66th anniversary of Somalia’s army formation with an impressive aerial demonstration.
Four Turkish F-16s flew above the city, along with several attack helicopters, in a synchronized display backing Somalia’s armed forces. The exhibition highlighted Turkey’s ongoing commitment to arming and training Somali security personnel as the nation strives to rebuild following over three decades of internal conflict.
Turkey’s Expanding Military Footprint
The aerial demonstration comes amid a significant expansion of Turkey’s military presence in Somalia. A Turkish military transport recently docked at Mogadishu Port, offloading a shipment of M48 and M60 Patton battle tanks in a move signaling a significant escalation of Ankara’s military footprint in the Horn of Africa. According to informed security sources, the tanks will be positioned to defend Turkish installations in the Warshiikh district, approximately 60 kilometers north of Mogadishu, where facilities are reportedly being prepared for missile and satellite launch operations.
The increase in heavy military equipment follows Turkey’s recent introduction of F-16 fighter aircraft to the area, demonstrating a broader dedication to protecting its multi-billion-dollar investments in Somalia’s energy and technology sectors.
Decade of Security Cooperation
Turkey has emerged as one of Somalia’s closest security and development allies over the past decade. In July 2025, Somalia’s Minister of Defence Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler signed Amendment Protocol Number 1 to the Implementation Protocol of the Financial Assistance Agreement, marking a strategic recalibration of the original agreement and ushering in a new phase of enhanced military cooperation.
The revised protocol outlines improved frameworks for delivering critical support in areas including training, equipment provision, and institutional development. Speaking at the ceremony in Istanbul, Minister Fiqi described the amendment as “a milestone in our enduring partnership.”
Training Somalia’s Elite Forces
On the ground, the anniversary event matched the aerial show in magnitude and importance. Lines of armored vehicles moved through the Ministry of Defense, most of which were provided by Turkey to strengthen the government’s fight against militant groups.
Since the establishment of the Somali Turkish Task Force Command on September 30, 2017, Turkey has trained over 5,000 Somali security personnel. The training program, which stems from defense agreements dating back to 2010, has grown into one of the most influential foreign-led military initiatives in Somalia. Cadets learn urban warfare tactics, physical endurance, weapons handling, and counter-terror operations — crucial skills in a nation still battling Al-Shabaab insurgents.
Graduates of the Turkish training program have formed elite units such as the Gorgor (Eagle) commandos, now deployed across frontlines in HirShabelle, Galmudug, and Jubbaland. In October 2025, a new cohort of elite troops graduated from the TurkSom Military Academy in Mogadishu, with Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji presiding over the ceremony.
“These soldiers are not only guardians of our security but symbols of Somali unity. Their dedication represents a decisive step toward building a resilient, professional and capable national army,” the Deputy Prime Minister said at the graduation ceremony.
Defense Modernization and Partnerships
The partnership extends beyond Somalia’s borders, with hundreds of officers sent to Turkey for advanced training at NATO-standard academies. The Federal Government has secured substantial military assistance from Turkey, including armored vehicles, advanced communication systems, command equipment, and night-vision technology.
In April 2026, the Permanent Secretary of Somalia’s Ministry of Defence, Abdifatah Abdulkadir Farah, concluded a series of high-level working meetings in Ankara with senior officials from Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence and executives from major Turkish defense industry firms, including ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and MKE. The talks focused on developing long-term strategic partnerships and accelerating the modernization of Somalia’s defense sector.
Maritime Security and Naval Cooperation
In February 2026, a high-ranking Turkish naval delegation led by Vice Admiral Mustafa Kaya, Chief of Staff of the Turkish Navy, arrived in Mogadishu alongside a fleet of vessels, including an oil exploration and drilling ship. State Minister of Defense Omar Abdi Ali welcomed the delegation, with discussions centering on expanding training initiatives for the Somali Navy and Coast Guard, protecting national interests including fisheries and offshore resources, and strengthening strategic coordination to combat piracy and trafficking.
Enduring Alliance
The aerial display by Turkish F-16s and attack helicopters on Somalia’s army anniversary served as a powerful symbol of the deepening military alliance between Mogadishu and Ankara. The partnership, built over years of cooperation in security, humanitarian aid, and development, continues to expand as Somalia works to rebuild its armed forces and assume greater security responsibilities nationwide.
Officials in Mogadishu credit the Turkish mission with helping transform the army from fragmented clan-based groups into a more unified national force. The anniversary celebration, marked by both aerial demonstrations and the display of Turkish-provided armored vehicles, underscored the tangible results of this strategic partnership as Somalia continues its fight against militant groups and works toward long-term stability.
