Friday July 25, 2025
Istanbul (HOL) — Türkiye and Somalia signed a new agreement for cash assistance on Thursday during the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul, further cementing their strategic defense partnership.
The agreement, titled the Amendment Protocol to the Cash Assistance Implementation, was signed by Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi.
Minister Fiqi hailed the deal as a reflection of the deepening ties between the two nations and Somalia’s commitment to utilizing Turkish support in alignment with its national interests.
The defense fair, which runs for six days, is taking place across multiple venues including the Istanbul Fair Center, Atatürk Airport, WOW Hotel, and Ataköy Marina. Organized by KFA Fairs with backing from Türkiye’s Defense Industries Secretariat (SSB) and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, IDEF 2025 features Anadolu Agency as its global communication partner.
Türkiye plays a key role in rebuilding Somalia’s defense sector. It operates its largest overseas military base, the Anatolia Barracks in Mogadishu, and has trained more than 15,000 Somali troops since 2017. Training is conducted both at the TURKSOM Military Training School in Somalia and in Türkiye, focusing on commando operations, counterterrorism, special forces tactics, and urban warfare.