Turkey gives drones to Somalia as Ankara faces criticism over its military role

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Turkey has donated sophisticated military equipment to the federal republic of Somalia, a country that has struggled for stability for the last four decades, and the most recent rise of insurgency.

The drones had been delivered early this month in the country and would be used by the Somali National Army [SNA] in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, who are the biggest threat to the Horn of Africa nation.

For the last several years, Turkey has been arming and training Somalia’s army at Camp TurkSom - its extensive military base and defense university - in recent years, providing G3 assault rifles and armored vehicles.

Turkey trains and equips the elite Gorgor of the SNA and Haramcad police officers in both at a large military base in Mogadishu and its country. 

Turkey-trained Somali soldiers have, for years, been fighting against Al-Shabaab militants. Still, a drawn political crisis in Somalia has raised fears among international partners that the Somali military will be entangled in local conflicts.

Somali opposition accused Turkey of sending arms to Somalia that Farmajo has used to silence press freedom and attack his critics as well as demolish the Federal States.

GAROWE ONLINE