​Somalia: First batch of Turkish troops arrives in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Turkish troops have landed in Mogadishu, the first batch of more soldiers expected to arrive in the horn of Africa country in the coming days, Garowe Online reports.

An estimated 200 soldiers arrived at Aden Adde International Airport by Turkish Airlines, and they were deployed to a newly built large Military training base at Jazeera, a coastal area in southern Mogadishu.

In July, Turkey has announced it finalized the construction of a military base in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, in which Turkish military personnel will train the Somali Federal government troops.

The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to visit Mogadishu next month to cut the ribbon off the new military base, with the attendance of top Somali government officials.

The complex which has been fully equipped will be Turkey’s first military base in Africa, which has been approved by the United Nations (UN), and its second military base abroad.

The Ambassador of Turkey in Mogadishu, Olgan Bekar, said that the base was a training base for the Somali National Army, but not a military similar to that of Qatar.

Turkish and Somali governments agreed a military deal, which included training of over 10,000 Somali soldiers by 200 Turkish military officers to support their fight against Al Shabaab militants group.

Ankara has been providing military assistance to Somalia within the scope of military and financial cooperation deals between the two governments for over six years now.

GAROWEONLINE