By Maher Ahmed - Reporter
Somalia, 7 January 2026 Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, presided over the graduation of a new cohort of elite "Gorgor" (Eagle) commandos on Wednesday, as the government ramps up its military offensive against Al-Shabaab and ISIS-linked militants.
The graduation ceremony, held at the TURKSOM Military Training Academy in Mogadishu, marks the latest addition to Somalia’s premier special forces unit, which is trained by the Turkish military.
Addressing the troops, Minister Fiqi emphasized the critical role the commandos will play in safeguarding Somalia’s territorial integrity and national unity—a reference to heightened regional tensions and ongoing internal security challenges.
"Somalia is facing an alliance of many enemies—the internal terrorists we know, hypocrites among us, and external enemies who most recently landed in Hargeisa, at the invitation of certain domestic actors, led by the prominent hypocrite Irro" Fiqi told the graduates, referring to recent diplomatic and territorial disputes.
"If we do not eliminate these enemies, the hypocrites will continue to call us enemies every day and attempt to dismantle our regions one by one. Your immediate duty is to eradicate these 'Khawarij' (extremist) terrorists so we can fulfill our national obligation," he added.
More from Somalia
The Gorgor units have become a cornerstone of the Somali National Army's (SNA) strategy to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab. During the ceremony, the commandos demonstrated advanced tactical skills, including close-quarters combat, specialized weaponry usage, and defensive manoeuvres developed during their intensive training.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Major General Odawa Yusuf Rage, Chief of the Somali National Army, Major General Sebahattin Kalkan, Commander of TURKSOM, Alper Aktaş the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia and the commanders of the Somali Air Force and Navy.
Türkiye remains Somalia's most significant partner in military capacity building, operating its largest overseas military facility (TURKSOM) in Mogadishu. The facility has trained thousands of Somali soldiers since its inception in 2017.
The deployment of fresh troops comes as the federal government enters a critical phase of its 2026 security roadmap, aiming to consolidate gains in the central and southern regions of the country.
