Hassan Sheikh denies rumors about the TURKSOM center in Mogadishu

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) — The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has denied that the TURKSOM center in Mogadishu is a military base owned by Turkey, describing that claim as "a baseless propaganda".

The President, in an interview with Al Jazeera, stated that TURKSOM is a center intended for the training of Somali forces, and that there is no military base that Turkey has there.

"There is a training center. That place is a training center, but there are no Turkish troops present," said Hassan Sheikh.

"The propaganda being spread claims that there is a base there, which is the first base Turkey has abroad. That is not true."

TURKSOM was opened in Mogadishu in 2017, and since then, thousands of Somali soldiers and officers have been trained there, including the Gorgor commando forces.

Although international media and some analysts describe the center as a Turkish military base, the governments of Somalia and Turkey often refer to it as a military training center or academy.

Turkey still has officers and troops in Somalia working on training, advising, and security support.

The Turkish government has also previously stated that it has a "military presence and training activities" in Somalia, which support the rebuilding of the Somali National Army and the fight against terrorist groups.

The TURKSOM Center in Mogadishu

TURKSOM has become one of the most important centers for training the Somali forces since it was opened in September 2017.

The center was described at its opening as the largest military training academy that Turkey has abroad, capable of training more than 1,500 soldiers at one time.

Many Somali forces have received various trainings there and inside Turkey.

President Hassan Sheikh participated in a graduation ceremony in July for officers and non-commissioned officers who graduated from TURKSOM, describing them as the future leaders of the Somali National Army.

In September, Minister of Defense Ahmed Macallin Fiqi received a Turkish military delegation led by Major General Sabahattin Kalkan, whom the Somali government described as the commander of the TURKSOM Military Training Academy.

The delegation included officials from the Turkish land, naval, and air forces, and their meeting focused on training and strengthening the capabilities of the Somali forces.

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has previously referred to the center as the “TURKSOM military training center.”

Turkey's military presence

Although Hassan Sheikh has denied that TURKSOM should be recognized as a Turkish military base, Turkey's military role in Somalia is not limited to that center alone.

The Turkish Parliament extended the presence of Turkish troops in Somalia for another two years in July, making their stay last until July 2028.

This approval gives Turkish forces the ability to support Somalia in the fight against terrorism and other security threats.

It also covers support related to piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and the protection of Somalia's waters.

The President of Turkey also has the authority to determine the number, location, and scope of Turkish troops sent to Somalia.

Somalia and Turkey signed a defense and economic cooperation agreement in 2024 that will last for 10 years, which gives Ankara a significant role in building the capacity of Somalia's naval forces and protecting the country's coasts.

Hassan Sheikh added during the TURKSOM speech while explaining the relationship between Somalia and Turkey, which he described as “very strategic.”

He recalled the relationship between the two countries back to Erdogan's visit to Mogadishu in 2011, at a time when the country was experiencing severe drought and a very poor security situation.

Since that visit, Turkey has been heavily involved in Somalia, particularly in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, and security.

“Turkey came and invested in the Mogadishu airport and the port of Mogadishu, and now it has entered the oil and gas sector for the first time in our history,” said Hassan Sheikh.

Turkey is today one of the closest countries to Somalia in terms of security, and it trains Somali forces, provides military equipment and advice, while the cooperation between the two countries has expanded to maritime, energy, and oil exploration.

Hassan Sheikh did not deny that Turkish troops and officials are present in Somalia, as there are official agreements between the two governments.

However, he specifically rejected the characterization of the TURKSOM headquarters itself as a military base owned by Turkey, insisting that its role is to train Somali forces.