Passed Command Training In Turkey, Somali Special Forces Ready To Face Al-Shabab Terrorist Group

JAKARTA - More than 100 members of the Somali special forces who have just completed training in Turkey, arrived back in the Somali capital, Mogadishu last weekend.

Arriving at Aden Adde International Airport, the commandos were greeted by the commander of the infantry division of the Somali National Army, Mohamed Tahlil Bihi, and other senior officials.

Military officials told Anadolu Agency as quoted December 6, the commandos received modern commando training from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in Turkey's Isparta Province.

They will join the country's famous and most effective military force called the Gorgor (Eagle), all of which are trained by Turkey. Commandos will be deployed on the front lines to fight the al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group Al-Shabab, the officials added.

Turkey itself has been training Somali soldiers for the past four years. as part of a 2010 military training cooperation agreement. Turkey's elite Harcamad and Gorgor units are known to be fighting the Al-Shabab group.

Last month, Turkey also sent military vehicles, including trucks and ambulances, to the Somali National Army as part of Ankara's support for the country's military.

Turkey's special relationship with Africa will go down in history as an excellent example of cooperation, said First Lady Emine Erdoğan recently.

"When we look at Africa today, we see many countries there with different motivations. However, Turkey has an active, multidimensional, enterprising, and humanitarian foreign policy," the First Lady quoted by Daily Sabah as saying.

The First Lady noted that Turkey's Africa initiative started in 2005 and adopted a partnership policy in 2013.

"This policy is the product of a holistic understanding that includes the activities of public institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and humanitarian aid organizations. Our main goal is to contribute to the peace and stability of the continent, and to support its economic and social development," she explained.

"Our bilateral relations develop on the basis of equal and mutually beneficial partnership. Therefore, Turkey's African motivation allows us to become a friendly and brotherly country with all African countries," argued Emine Erdogan.

To note, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last month reiterated Turkey's approach to developing relations with African countries, based on equal partnership and the principle of mutual benefit, emphasizing the strong desire to further develop commercial relations.

Turkey's involvement with the African continent has increased over the years. Since coming to power nearly two decades ago, first as prime minister, President Erdogan has fostered ties with Africa, presenting Turkey as a more just power than the continent's former colonial powers.