On Monday, the southwestern city of Baidoa hosted a high‑level security meeting between Somalia’s army chief and the commander of Turkey’s military training mission. Major General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, commander of the Somali National Army (SNA), led a delegation that also included Major General Sebahattin Kalkan, head of the Turkish military training mission in Somalia (TURKSOM). The delegation met with Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, the leader of the South West State, to discuss ways to strengthen security and expand operations against the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab.
The talks, held in Baidoa – the capital of the South West State – focused on improving security across the region, accelerating military operations against Al-Shabaab, and enhancing coordination between the SNA, the regional forces of South West State, and the Turkish mission. Sheikh Aden welcomed the delegation and praised the role of Somali armed forces and TURKSOM in training troops, boosting the country’s defence capabilities, and supporting efforts to improve security.
Both Ibrahim and Kalkan reaffirmed their commitment to supporting South West State in strengthening security and intensifying military operations against Al-Shabaab. The meeting was attended by the state’s security minister, senior presidential officials, and commanders from the SNA’s 60th Division, which operates in the region.
Turkey has become one of Somalia’s main security partners through its TURKSOM military training base in Mogadishu, where it trains Somali forces as the government seeks to build its capacity to combat Al-Shabaab and gradually assume full responsibility for national security. The partnership has been a key element of Somalia’s strategy to counter the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab, which continues to carry out attacks across the country.
The meeting in Baidoa underscores the ongoing collaboration between Somali and Turkish forces to address security challenges in the South West State. By aligning operational plans and sharing intelligence, the parties aim to create a more coordinated response to insurgent activities. The reaffirmation of support from both the Somali army and the Turkish mission signals a continued commitment to stabilising the region and protecting civilian populations from extremist threats.
As Somalia moves forward with its national security agenda, the partnership with Turkey and the active engagement of regional leaders like Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s defence posture. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to influence future joint operations and training initiatives, reinforcing the collective effort to curb Al-Shabaab’s influence in the southwestern part of the country.
