Somali Eye

Independent News & Balanced Analysis on Somalia & Somali Region

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The Turkish government regularly trains and equips Somalia’s Gorgor forces, which are among the best trained and best equipped units in the Somali military.

These troops have recently returned from Türkiye, where they received commando training.

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Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Macallin Fiqi met with a delegation of Turkish military officials led by Maj. Gen. Sabahattin Kalkan, commander of the TURKSOM military training center in Mogadishu.

The delegation included Capt. Dr. Haldun S. Çetinarslan, Turkey’s military and naval affairs officer, who is completing his assignment in Somalia, and Col. Dr. Mehmet Serhan Yıldız, the newly appointed Turkish air force affairs officer.

The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye, with particular emphasis on the training and development of the Somali National Army.

Fiqi praised TURKSOM’s role in training Somali forces and improving their military capabilities, while thanking Türkiye for its continued support to Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its armed forces and strengthen national security and stability.

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Somalia’s elite Gorgor Special Forces continue their military training in Türkiye, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s special operations capabilities.

Trained and supported by Türkiye, Gorgor has become one of the Somali government’s key military formations.

Neither the Somali nor Turkish governments has publicly disclosed the force’s exact strength, but Gorgor is understood to comprise six brigades, with its overall strength estimated at around 10,000 personnel.

The training is also attended by officers, officer cadets and specialized personnel from the Gorgor brigades, focusing on advanced special operations and combat skills.

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Somali President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, received a senior Pakistan Air Force delegation at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu, led by Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, Pakistan’s Air Defence Commander and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

The meeting focused on strengthening and accelerating the development of the Somali Air Force, including training, capacity building and defence cooperation between Somalia and Pakistan.

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Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Macallin Fiqi on Sunday received a delegation of Egyptian military officials visiting Somalia, accompanied by Egypt’s Ambassador to Somalia, Mohamed Salah Keshtah.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in defense and security. The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and efforts to deepen military cooperation.

Fiqi welcomed Egypt’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, as well as Cairo’s backing for Somalia’s efforts to combat terrorism and rebuild the Somali Armed Forces.

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Senior Somali Air Force and Pakistani Air Force officials are holding high-level talks in Mogadishu focused on strengthening cooperation and enhancing Somalia’s air force capabilities.

The Pakistani delegation is led by Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, Pakistan’s Air Defence Commander and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

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Somali military forces, equipped with Türkiye-made MBC Kirpi armored vehicles, are conducting operations in areas surrounding Aadan Yabaal in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region.

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Turkish and Somali military officials attended a “Living Heroes” commemoration program held at the TURKSOM military training center in Mogadishu.

During the event, the Turkish government provided various forms of support to people with disabilities and other vulnerable members of the community. The assistance included food, medical supplies and financial support for families in need.

The event highlighted the continued cooperation between Türkiye and Somalia, while also recognizing and supporting members of the community facing difficult circumstances.

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Somalia’s Air Force chief, Brig. Gen. Abdirisaq Mohamud Haji, on Saturday welcomed a senior delegation from the Pakistan Air Force in Mogadishu, led by Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, Pakistan’s Air Defence Commander and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

The visit follows Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi’s visit to Pakistan on August 4, 2026, where the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in defence and security.

During their stay in Somalia, the Pakistani delegation is expected to hold talks with senior Somali Air Force officials on expanding military cooperation, with a particular focus on air defence and operational coordination.

The visit is part of Somalia’s efforts to deepen defence partnerships with friendly countries as it works to rebuild and strengthen the Somali National Army, including the development of its air capabilities.

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The Kirpi armored vehicle is built to provide enhanced protection against ballistic threats, mines, and IEDs, while improving troop mobility and battlefield survivability.

Its introduction has also strengthened the capabilities of Somalia’s armed forces, particularly the Gorgor Commandos, providing them with greater protection, mobility, and operational capacity.

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Somali military personnel taking part in training in Türkiye have joined Turkish commandos in a tactical mountain exercise in the Zincidere area and around Mount Erciyes, Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence said.

The training included ambush and counter-ambush drills, cave and shelter searches, and the use of unmanned aerial systems. A commando team also climbed to the summit of Mount Erciyes to conduct route reconnaissance as part of the exercise. 🇸🇴🇹🇷🏔️

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"I am a Gorgor Commando. I am everywhere: in the sky, on land, at sea, in the mountains, and across the most feared deserts".

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BREAKING: Somalia’s 22nd Gorgor Commando Brigade, recently deployed to Türkiye for advanced military training, has today begun its first training session in the mountainous city of Isparta.

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All 18 crew members aboard the M/V JACUAR have been safely rescued after the cargo ship ran aground off the coast of Somalia, Somali authorities said Thursday.

The vessel, carrying more than 7,000 metric tons of goods, ran aground after water entered part of the ship while it was sailing from Nacala Port in Mozambique to Adabiya Port in Egypt. The ship was flying the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag.

The Somali Navy and Coast Guard took part in the rescue operation, securing the area around the vessel and coordinating with other government agencies. The 18 crew members were from India, Syria and Egypt.

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Major General Sabahattin Kalkan, commander of the TURKSOM Military Training School, visited the 21st Brigade of Somalia’s 1st Gorgor Division in Mogadishu today, where he met with the division commander and senior Gorgor brigade commanders.

The visit highlighted the close military cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye. Gorgor is among Somalia’s largest and best-equipped elite forces, receiving training, equipment, intelligence and operational support from Türkiye.

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Cargo ship runs aground off Somalia, ministry says

A cargo ship carrying more than 7,000 metric tons of goods has run aground off Somalia after water entered part of the vessel, Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport said Thursday.

The M/V JACUAR, flying the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag, was sailing from Nacala Port in Mozambique to Adabiya Port in Egypt when the incident occurred.

The vessel was carrying 18 crew members from India, Syria and Egypt.

Somali authorities said they are coordinating rescue operations and closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the crew. Further details will be released as they become available.

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Bushaaro Ali Mohamed, also known as Bushaaro Baandey, who heads Somaliland National TV, has claimed that @JMeservey of the @HudsonInstitute, who recently interviewed Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro, had sought financial payment from Somaliland.

She said Meservey became angry after his alleged request was rejected, adding: “His request to be paid for the interview was rejected, which led to anger that eventually turned into insults.”

However, Bushaaro did not provide evidence to substantiate her claim. The allegation has nevertheless raised questions about Meservey’s subsequent criticism of the Somaliland administration and the circumstances surrounding his interview with President Irro.

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Hormuud University in Mogadishu stands as a clear example of the rapid growth and development the capital has witnessed in recent years, despite the city’s road infrastructure still facing significant challenges.

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The footage shows how a Somali soldier carefully drives through an active conflict zone while heading toward an area awaiting reinforcements. The soldier remains alert and vigilant, taking precautions against the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) potentially planted along the road by terrorist groups.

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The 171st Unit of the 17th Brigade, 1st Gorgor Division, warmly welcomed Somali National Army Land Forces Commander, Gen. Khalid, with a traditional praise poem honoring the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

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The opportunity President Abdirahman Irro had long sought to present Somaliland’s case for international recognition in Washington has instead drawn strong criticism, including from Somalilanders on social media.

During his September 14 interview at the Hudson Institute, he was asked several direct questions:

Why has Somaliland not received international recognition?
“I don’t know.”

What minerals can Somaliland offer the United States?
“I’m not a geologist, I don’t know.”

How did Somaliland secure its coast from piracy?
He said the coast guard has no equipment.

What is your view on Sudan?
“It is too far from us.”

The interview raised questions about the level of preparation behind the visit. A significant part of the limited time was also spent on laughter and jokes that could have been avoided, rather than using the opportunity to clearly present Somaliland’s case and strategic interests to a Washington audience.