A squad of female police officers is set to return to Somalia after concluding specialized training in Turkey. The 49 police recruits were selected based on their performance at the General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu.

Somali Police Commissioner Major General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijaar traveled to Turkey to attend the closing ceremony. In a tweet, the Major General called Turkey “a great friend” and praised the Turkish government’s role in their efforts to help rebuild the Somali forces.

Waxaan maanta Dalka Turkiga tababar ugu soo xirnay dufcaddii 1-aad oo ah gabdho ka tirsan Ciidanka Booliiska Gaarka ah ee #Haramcad, kuwaas oo tababar heerkiisu sarreeyo ku qaatay dalkan #Turkiga oo ah saaxiib weyn oo naga caawiya dib-u-dhiska iyo tayaynta CBS. pic.twitter.com/EevpD94JHa

— Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar (@GenHijaar) August 28, 2021

The police officers left Somalia for Turkey in early July of this year to commence their training.

For the first time in #Somalia history we have an all female special forces unit!
Thanks to @TC_Mogadishu for the realisation of a long time dream

Waa markii ugu horeeysay Somalia yeelato koox wada gabdha ah kana tirsan ciidamada sida gaarka ah u tababaran. @TheVillaSomalia pic.twitter.com/RE84FOixSg

— Zakia Hussen (@ZakiaHussen) July 12, 2021

The squad will be part of the Haramcad unit, a special operations battalion under the Somali Police Force which was established with the help of the Turkish government.