World Bulletin / News Desk

A Turkish warship convoy sailed off the coast of Sudan on Friday, concluding a first-ever African tour which included 24 countries.

Turkish Ambassador in Khartoum Jamal-al-Eddin Aiden and Sudanese Navy Commander Lieutenant General Dalil al-Daw bid farewell to the convoy, which sailed off to the anthems of the Sudanese Navy's marching band.

Warships from the Turkish Maritime Task Group Barbaros (TMTG) docked off the coast of Sudan on Monday, the last stop in the tour which aimed at establishing a Turkish naval presence in international waters and bolster Ankara's relations with African nations.

The visit featured joint military and medical training exercises, as well as a performance by the world-famous Ottoman band Mehter, which entertained hundreds of Sudanese audience on Tuesday night at the Red Sea coast.

Ship crews also provided medical and educational equipment as a gift to the Sudanese people.

The Turkish Task Group is comprised of two frigates, a corvette and a refueling tanker.

After having concluded the 102-day tour, the warships are scheduled to arrive in Turkey on June 27. The tour would have covered 15,000 nautical miles.

Earlier this month, Turkish warships rounded the Cape of Good Hope sea route for the first time in nearly 150 years.