MOGADISHU, Somalia – Government of Turkey donates anti-mine armored cars to Somali National Army [SNA], with the aim of helping in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, who have wreaked havoc in the Horn of Africa nation.
Al-Shabaab seeks to overthrow the fragile UN-backed Somali administration, but for years it has faced strong resistance from an organized army, mostly foreign troops serving in the African Union mission in Somalia. [AMISOM].
Hassan Ali Mohamed, Somali Minister of Defense, and General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, Chief of Defense Force, received the donations and praised the Turkish government, which is also a key security partner. from Somalia.
Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Mahmet Yilmaz and other government officials were present at the handover. Turkey, in addition to helping Somalia with such donations, is training elite Gorgor soldiers and Haramcad police officers.
General Odawa Yusuf Rageh thanked the Turkish government for its vital role in reviving the country’s military. According to him, the vehicles will allow the army to access parts of the country where Al-Shabaab controls.
“I thank the Turkish government for the new armored personnel carriers and their continued support,” General Odawa said.
“Mine-resistant armored personnel carriers for Gorgor’s commandos have been donated by the Turkish government. These were handed over to the Ministry of Defense together with the head of the Somali National Armed Forces, General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, ”SNA said in a Twitter post.
Turkish Ambassador Mahmet Yilmaz said Turkey will continue to support Somalia. According to him, Ankara wants to see a stable government in Mogadishu, after years of instability and terror.
The Turkish government was able to focus on development and construction in Somalia without coming into direct conflict with other states in the region. This contrasts with the United Arab Emirates [UAE] and Qatar.
Turkey has also built the largest army in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which has the capacity to train at least 1,500 soldiers at a time according to Turkish officials.
Additionally, the donation comes the week the Somali National Army announced the murder of 279 Al-Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle. According to the military, the gains have been made in the past two months.
AXADLETM
