Ancara-Turkey will deploy 500 additional special forces to Somalia in a significant escalation of its military support for the Horn of Africa nation, as international peacekeeping efforts face budget constraints and rising threats from Al-Shabaab.
The announcement follows a phone call on Sunday between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two leaders pledged to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, maritime development, and energy exploration.
The deployment comes at a critical time as the African Union transitions from ATMIS to the African Union Security Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSS). That mission faces critical funding gaps following a shift in U.S. foreign assistance priorities, leaving Somali forces with limited external support.
The African Union has warned that recent security gains risk being reversed if immediate funding gaps are not addressed. Donor hesitancy, coupled with growing insecurity, has put pressure on Somalia to seek new allies.
Security analysts say the Turkish deployment could stabilize battlefield dynamics and offset regional uncertainty. “Turkey’s involvement was decisive in conflicts in Libya and Ethiopia,” said a regional analyst. “This may provide the Somali government with the support it needs to maintain control over strategic areas.”
The military expansion follows a 10-year defence and economic cooperation agreement ratified by the Somali parliament earlier this year. Under the agreement, Turkey is tasked with training Somali troops, protecting key infrastructure, and assisting with oil and gas operations in Somalia.
Turkey’s seismic research vessel MTA Oruc Reis is currently surveying offshore Somali blocks for potential hydrocarbon reserves. Officials say the military deployment will help secure these activities and advance Turkey’s long-term strategic interests in the Red Sea corridor.
