The move, which almost doubles Turkey’s usual military personnel in the region, comes as the armed group has made strategic gains in central Somalia, capturing villages south of the capital last month. These areas serve as critical buffer zones for Somali forces protecting Mogadishu from terrorist attacks, including car bombings.
Turkey’s enhanced deployment includes around 300 commandos tasked with safeguarding Turkish facilities and training Somali forces alongside 200 personnel focused on operating armed drones. The Turkish military base, Turksom, and Mogadishu’s ports are key priorities for protection.
Ankara has also introduced advanced Akinci drones, capable of high-altitude, 24-hour operations with superior night vision, making them particularly effective against Al-Shabab’s nocturnal activities. “Akinci drones are more suitable for targeting Al-Shabab, which primarily operates at night to avoid detection,” a regional source told MEE.
Despite the bolstered presence, Turkey remains cautious about direct engagement with Al-Shabab on the ground, as such actions would require formal authorization from the Turkish Parliament. “The Turkish troops are there solely to protect Turkish assets and to train and advise Somali forces. They will only engage Al-Shabab if necessary and in self-defense,” another source clarified.
Meanwhile, Turkish aerial operations are coordinated with the US Africa Command, which controls Somali airspace. Turkey’s deepening ties with Somalia, rooted in a humanitarian mission launched by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2011, now encompass security and commercial partnerships.
As Al-Shabab continues to exploit political rifts ahead of next year’s Somali presidential elections, Ankara has pledged ongoing counterterrorism support, with plans to deploy more drones and potentially offer artillery assistance if needed, signaling potential future actions in the region.