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.

Beyond military training, the two countries have signed a series of strategic agreements covering defense cooperation, maritime security, and joint exploration in the oil and gas sector—cementing one of the most comprehensive bilateral partnerships in the Horn of Africa.

Reports further indicate that the same aircraft also facilitated the return of another contingent of Somali personnel to Türkiye for advanced training programs, focused on modern military technologies and specialized operational skills.

The synchronized arrival and departure of these aircraft highlight not only logistical coordination but also the increasingly institutionalized nature of Somalia–Türkiye defense ties, now spanning training, deployment, and long-term capacity building.

WardheerNews