Ankara/Mogadishu, March 27, 2025 – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Türkiye for a high-level working visit at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reinforcing the deepening strategic alliance between the two nations.
Announced by Villa Somalia, the visit focuses on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in security and military affairs, as Somalia intensifies its offensive against the Al-Shabaab militant group—referred to by Somali authorities as “Khawarij” due to their extremist ideology and violent insurgency.
President Mohamud will engage in high-level talks with President Erdoğan in Ankara, with discussions expected to emphasize counter-terrorism collaboration, intelligence sharing, and enhanced military training. Somalia considers Türkiye a critical partner in its broader efforts toward national stability, reconstruction, and institutional resilience.
“This visit is of strategic importance in our united fight against terrorism. Somalia and Türkiye stand together against the Khawarij to protect peace and progress in the region,” the Somali government stated.
The visit comes amid ongoing military operations to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia. Despite recent gains, Somali authorities continue to face challenges in consolidating control over newly liberated areas and ensuring lasting security.
Türkiye has emerged as one of Somalia’s most reliable allies over the past decade, contributing significantly to infrastructure, education, health, and military capacity-building. The Turkish military base in Mogadishu, among the country’s largest overseas installations, has trained thousands of Somali soldiers since its establishment in 2017.
In addition to defense ties, the Somali-Turkish partnership spans trade, the blue economy, energy, humanitarian assistance, and diplomatic cooperation. This visit is expected to reinforce multi-sectoral collaboration as Somalia prepares for institutional reform and increased foreign investment amid improving security conditions.
The outcome of President Mohamud’s discussions with President Erdoğan is likely to influence the trajectory of Somalia’s counter-terrorism strategy and its broader regional diplomacy, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations between Mogadishu and Ankara.