Turkish Military Aircraft Land in Mogadishu as Defense Cooperation Deepens

Mogadishu (WDN) – Two Turkish Air Force A400M Atlas transport aircraft have landed in Mogadishu in the past several hours, marking yet another visible sign of deepening military cooperation between Türkiye and Somalia.

The aircraft, bearing tail numbers 18-0094 (TUAF753) and 18-0093 (TUAF752), departed from Kayseri, Türkiye, before arriving in the Somali capital on what security officials describe as a coordinated military movement linked to ongoing bilateral defense cooperation.

According to a senior security official, the aircraft were carrying Somali troops who completed training programs in Türkiye. These units are expected to take part in Somalia’s upcoming Independence Week commemorations, underscoring the growing role of foreign-trained formations within national ceremonial and operational frameworks.

Since 2014, Türkiye has steadily expanded its security footprint in Somalia through a layered partnership that began with training anti-riot police units and has since evolved into broader military cooperation. Over the years, the relationship has grown to include the training of pilots, naval personnel, and specialized units across multiple branches of the Somali security forces.