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Türkiye submits presidential motion to deploy troops to Somalia to bolster security and economic agreements
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    Sunday July 21, 2024


    Special training for Somali soldiers from Türkiye, Mogadishu, April 7, 2018 (AA Photo)


    ANKARA, Türkiye (HOL) — Türkiye has submitted a presidential motion to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) seeking authorization to deploy troops to Somalia for two years. This decision continues Türkiye's long-standing support for Somalia's security and economic development.

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    In early 2024, Türkiye and Somalia signed two major agreements—a comprehensive maritime and defence agreement in February and an oil and gas cooperation deal in March. The maritime agreement establishes the Turkish Armed Forces as partners in Somalia's maritime security for the next ten years. This includes reconstructing, equipping, and training the Somali Navy, with Türkiye receiving 30% of the revenue from Somalia's exclusive economic zone.

    The oil and gas cooperation deal positions Türkiye as a key partner in Somalia's petroleum exploration, appraisal, and extraction. This agreement could allow Türkiye to take over the sales and distribution of Somali petroleum. Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told reporters in April that offshore drilling could begin as early as 2025.

    Türkiye's involvement in Somalia dates back to 2011 when then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited during a devastating famine. This visit marked the beginning of a broad partnership, with Türkiye integrating deeply into Somali affairs, including security, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid. Between 2011 and 2022, Türkiye provided more than $1 billion in aid to Somalia.

    Military cooperation began in 2015, culminating in the establishment of Camp TURKSOM in Mogadishu in 2017. Türkiye has since trained up to 16,000 Somali troops and conducted drone strikes against the terrorist group al-Shabaab. Türkiye's military support includes training elite Somali units like the Haram'ad paramilitary unit and Gorgor commando brigade, which are crucial in the fight against al-Shabaab.

    The Horn of Africa is strategically important due to its geographical position and mineral resources. Türkiye's push towards Africa started with the Africa Action Plan in 1998, and by 2008, Türkiye was declared a strategic partner of the African Union. Today, Türkiye has signed security cooperation agreements with 30 African states, including troop training agreements with 19 states.

    However, Türkiye's influence faces challenges from other powers such as the UAE, Iran, Russia, China, and the US, all competing for strategic footholds in the region. There are over a dozen foreign military bases in the region, primarily for counterterrorism and counterpiracy operations.

     





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