Somali army joins multinational military exercise in Turkey

Friday May 1, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali National Army units have taken part in a multinational military exercise held in Turkey over the past several days, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.

The expansive drill drew troops from a wide roster of countries, including Somalia, the United States, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Cameroon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, the exercise highlighted a broad spectrum of battlefield skills. Soldiers carried out artillery and mortar drills, live-fire training, airborne maneuvers, and mine detection and clearance operations.

It also featured specialized instruction aimed at countering unmanned aerial threats, alongside coordinated action across land, sea, and air.

Turkish officials said the training was conducted in a safe and controlled setting, with participating forces demonstrating coordination and operational readiness throughout the exercise.

Somalia’s involvement underscores its continuing push to build military capacity and deepen international security ties. In recent years, cooperation with Turkey has been central to efforts to rebuild and train Somali security forces.

Turkey operates one of its largest overseas military training bases in Mogadishu, where thousands of Somali soldiers and officers have been trained as part of broader efforts to professionalize the army and improve its capacity to confront militant threats and support regional security.