Somalia: Turkey to open a military base in Somalia
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- Posted On 01-10-2016, 11:42AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia- Turkey is set to conclude the construction of a military base in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, in which Turkish military personnel will support Somali government troops, Garowe Online reports.
This will be Turkey’s first military base in Africa, which has been approved by the United Nations, and its second military base abroad.
In late April, Turkey opened a military base in Qatar as part of bilateral defense agreement between the two countries to confront "common enemies”.
The agreement between the Turkish and Somali government will include training of over 10,000 Somali soldiers by 200 Turkish military officers to support their fight against Al Shabaab militants group.
According to reliable sources, Turkish military personnel are set to arrive soon at the base built near the seashore of Mogadishu city.
In recent years, Somalia became the largest recipient of Turkish aid globally and trading partner.
This comes amid intensified attacks by Al Qaida linked Al Shabaab terrorist group in the capital, against government officials and security forces, as Somalia is preparing to hold parliamentary and presidential elections set to conclude in November 30.
GAROWEONLINE
