MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Turkey will open its first-ever African military base in Somalia which will train Somali soldiers in the fight against terrorist group Al-Shabaab, officials said.

Nearly 200 Turkish military officers will train 10,500 soldiers at the base, which is expected to be operational soon.


The base has been approved by the United Nations and will serve as Turkey's second overseas base, the first opened in Qatar in April.

Turkey, which has been aiding Somalia with military support for five years, also donated $400 million to help end hunger in the country.