ISTANBUL, March 18, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Twenty-four Somali soldiers were hurt, two critically, during a brawl that broke out after they played a football match at their training barracks in southwestern Turkey, local authorities said Tuesday. 

According to Abdullah Erin, governor of Isparta province, several Turkish troops were also injured while trying to stop the fighting that erupted on Monday evening. 

"Among the injured are two Somali soldiers who are in critical condition," Erin said after visiting the soldiers at a hospital in Isparta on Monday evening.

NATO member Turkey has close relations with Somalia and is its leading economic partner, notably in the construction, education and health sectors, as well as in military cooperation.

Somalia is also home to Turkey's largest overseas military base and training facility, which has reportedly trained more than 5,000 members of the Somali security forces.

Somali troops also receive training in Turkey.