Turkey has increased support for Somalia, focusing on defense and combating Al-Shabaab extremist group effectively.
This follows a phone call on Saturday between Turkish President Erdogan and Somalia’s leader to emphasize their strategic relations.
Reliable sources say Ankara handed over three advanced T129 Atak helicopters to Somalia to aid military efforts against Al-Shabaab.
These helicopters are expected to enhance Somalia’s government campaign to strengthen overall national security efforts.
Turkey also supplied two more helicopters to Somali naval forces under a military cooperation deal signed earlier this year in February.
The deal commits Turkey to assist Somalia’s naval training programs and improve its maritime defense capabilities.
Turkey previously began pilot training for Somali helicopter operators, who have now completed their final phase, enabling deployment of new aircraft in Mogadishu.
