Somalia graduates new Gorgor Special Forces at TURKSOM as push against al-Shabab builds
MOGADISHU — Somalia on Thursday graduated new units of its elite Gorgor Special Forces after completing training at the TURKSOM Military Training Academy, a milestone officials framed as pivotal to intensifying military operations against al-Shabab in the south.
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Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, speaking at the ceremony, praised Somali National Army (SNA) leadership for sustained efforts to professionalize the force and strengthen operational readiness.
“The training reflects our continued focus on building a capable, disciplined and professional national army,” Fiqi said, urging the newly graduated troops to uphold their duty to defend the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He called on the forces to play a decisive role in ongoing counterterrorism operations and carry out their responsibilities with discipline and dedication to ensure the security of the Somali people and long-term stability.
The ceremony featured demonstrations of weapons handling, combat tactics and self-defense techniques, underscoring what officials described as a high level of preparedness for deployment. The Gorgor units, trained to operate as mobile, disciplined strike forces, are central to Somalia’s efforts to pressure al-Qaida-linked militants in contested areas.
Senior Somali and Turkish officials attended the event, reflecting the depth of Ankara’s security partnership with Mogadishu. Among them were:
- Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Raage, commander of the Somali National Army
- Col. Ahmed Issa Ahmed, commander for training and doctrine
- Gen. Sebahattin Kalkan, commander of TURKSOM
- Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia
- Commanders of Somalia’s air and naval forces
Operated by Türkiye, the TURKSOM academy has become a central pillar of Somalia’s military training pipeline, producing thousands of soldiers since its establishment. The program aims to instill standardized tactics, leadership and discipline while equipping units like Gorgor to support joint operations and hold recaptured territory.
The graduation comes as Somali authorities prepare to expand operations in Lower and Middle Shabelle, regions that remain key battlegrounds in the long-running insurgency. Government officials say strengthening elite units is critical to sustaining momentum, degrading militant networks and improving coordination across army branches.
Al-Shabab continues to mount attacks despite years of offensives backed by international partners, making force generation and readiness a priority for security planners. Officials say sharpening battlefield cohesion—through doctrine, training and leadership—will be essential as forces push into rural strongholds and seek to secure population centers and vital roadways.
While the government did not publicly disclose the number of graduates, officials emphasized the training’s focus on small-unit tactics, marksmanship, urban and rural maneuver, and command protocols designed to improve integration between ground, air and maritime components. Those capabilities are intended to support stepped-up raids, interdictions and area-stabilization efforts in the coming months.
Thursday’s ceremony at TURKSOM highlighted both the symbolism and practical importance of the training partnership. For Somalia, it adds to a pipeline of specialized units tasked with front-line operations. For Türkiye, it underscores a long-term commitment to building the SNA’s capacity as part of a broader bilateral security cooperation framework.
As the Gorgor graduates prepare for deployment, officials framed the moment as both a signal of readiness and a reminder of the scale of the challenge ahead. Al-Shabab remains resilient, but Somali commanders say continued professionalization of the force—supported by steady training, logistics and leadership development—will be pivotal to consolidating gains and expanding state authority in contested regions.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
