Somalia: Somali Army Chief, Turksom Commander Visit Baidoa for Security Talks

What the report says

Somalia’s army chief and the commander of Turkey’s military training mission visited Baidoa in southwestern Somalia on Monday for talks with South West State leader Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, known as Madoobe, about security cooperation and operations against Al-Shabaab. The visit was reported by Shabelle and distributed by AllAfrica. According to the South West State presidency, the delegation was led by Somali National Army Commander Major General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud and included TURKSOM Commander Major General Sebahattin Kalkan.

The discussions focused on improving security in South West State, speeding up military action against the Islamist militant group, and better coordinating the Somali National Army, regional forces and the Turkish training mission. The meeting also included the state security minister, senior presidential officials and commanders from the army’s 60th Division, which operates in the region.

Sheikh Aden reportedly welcomed the delegation and praised the role of the Somali armed forces and TURKSOM in training troops and supporting defence capabilities. The Somali side and the Turkish mission said they remained committed to backing South West State’s security efforts. The visit underlines Turkey’s continuing role as a key security partner in Somalia, where Mogadishu is trying to build stronger national forces and expand pressure on Al-Shabaab.