Somalia on Thursday graduated new units of its elite Gorgor Special Forces after they completed advanced military training at the TURKSOM Military Training Academy in Mogadishu, as the government continues efforts to strengthen national security and combat militancy.
The graduation ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Defence, H.E. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, alongside senior commanders of the Somali National Armed Forces. Speaking at the event, Minister Fiqi praised the leadership of the Somali National Army for sustained efforts to improve professionalism, operational capacity, and overall force readiness.
He urged the newly graduated troops to uphold their national duty to protect Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to carry out their responsibilities with discipline and dedication. The minister also called on the forces to play a decisive role in ongoing counterterrorism operations against the al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab, stressing the importance of elite units in ensuring long-term security and stability.
During the ceremony, the Gorgor forces demonstrated a range of skills acquired during their training, including weapons handling, combat tactics, and self-defense techniques, highlighting what officials described as a high level of preparedness and training standards.
The event was attended by senior Somali and Turkish officials, including Somali National Army Commander Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Raage; the Commander of Training and Doctrine, Col. Ahmed Issa Ahmed; TURKSOM Commander Gen. Sebahattin Kalkan; Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia; and the commanders of Somalia’s air and naval forces.
TURKSOM, operated by Türkiye, has become a cornerstone of Somalia’s military training efforts, producing thousands of soldiers since its establishment. Somali authorities say strengthening elite formations such as the Gorgor Special Forces is central to sustaining pressure on militant groups and advancing broader security sector reforms across the country.
