This week, Turkey has increased its defense assistance to Somalia in the ongoing battle against the al-Shabab militant group, following a phone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Somali President. Sources informed Middle East Eye that Ankara has provided three T129 Atak attack helicopters to the Somali government. Additionally, Turkey delivered two utility helicopters to the Somali navy, in line with a defense agreement signed by both governments in February 2024, which requires Ankara to help establish a naval force for Mogadishu.
For the past year, Turkey has been training several Somali pilots to operate Atak helicopters. The helicopters were delivered following the pilots' completion of their final training stage.
Recent open-source data indicates that approximately six Turkish A400M and Qatari C-17A transport aircraft have arrived in Mogadishu over the past week, likely carrying the helicopters. MEE has contacted Turkey’s defense ministry for a statement.
According to a source familiar with the shipment, “The delivery of the Atak helicopters to Somalia signifies that Ankara is not only focused on transferring weapons but also on enhancing Somalia's overall military capabilities.”
During a phone call on Saturday, President Erdogan assured Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Turkey's support for Somalia’s development vision through democratic means.
Erdogan reiterated Turkey's commitment to supporting Somalia in its counter-terrorism efforts, with plans for further expansion of this assistance, as stated by the Turkish presidency. The timing of Turkey's military aid appears to be aimed at stabilizing Somalia ahead of the elections scheduled for 2026, which will be conducted through direct voting rather than a tribal electoral system.
In recent months, Somalia has experienced a resurgence of attacks by al-Shabab, a group seeking to overthrow the government that has intensified its militant activities across the country. Al-Shabab has made notable advances in central Somalia, including the capture of villages south of the capital, Mogadishu, last month. However, the group has previously achieved similar territorial gains, only to later retreat under military pressure from Somali forces.
In April, Middle East Eye reported that Turkey has significantly increased its military presence in Mogadishu, doubling its troop count to over 500. These forces are responsible for safeguarding the Turkish military base, Turksom, operating armed drones, and securing the ports of Mogadishu.
While Turkish TB2 Bayraktar drones were already deployed, Ankara has recently sent two Akinci drones to Somalia. These advanced drones can fly at high altitudes for extended durations and are deemed more effective against al-Shabab due to their superior night vision and 24-hour operational capabilities.
Turkey's substantial boost in military support comes at a time when the US is reducing its assistance to Somalia, indicating Ankara's commitment to preventing a power vacuum in the region.
This year, the US has increased its airstrikes against Islamic State affiliates in Somalia, doubling its efforts. However, in March, it reduced funding for the elite Danab unit, which has been vital in combating al-Shabab.
Turkey has maintained a strong presence in Mogadishu since President Erdogan's initial visit in 2011, which was part of a humanitarian mission. Over the years, this relationship has evolved into a robust commercial and security partnership.
Last year, Ankara signed an agreement with Somalia for energy exploration and drilling, prompting Turkey to deploy technical exploration ships to the Somali coast. While the exploration data has not yet been made public, Erdogan indicated during a televised address on Monday that "good news" regarding energy would be announced in the future. This has sparked speculation in Ankara that the upcoming announcement may pertain to Somalia's energy resources.
