A military school in Somalia's capital Mogadishu has hosted a Turkish Language Festival aimed at promoting Turkish language and culture and strengthening ties between Türkiye and Somalia, a statement by the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu said on Wednesday.

The event was held at the Somali Military School Command, which operates under the Somali Turkish Task Force Command, and was attended by Turkish Embassy officials and senior military officers.

"We participated in the 'Turkce Senligi' programme held at the Somali Military School Command, which is part of the Somali Turkish Task Force Command, to promote the Turkish language and culture and strengthen the bonds of friendship between Türkiye and Somalia," the embassy said.

Türkiye operates its largest overseas military base in Somalia.

The facility covers 4 square kilometres and can train more than 1,500 troops at a time. It also includes three military residential complexes and schools.

Relations between Somalia and Türkiye deepened in 2011 after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, then prime minister, visited the country.

Since then, Turkish humanitarian and development assistance to Somalia has exceeded $1 billion, including projects in health care, education, municipal services and infrastructure.