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Turkey plans to deploy frigates to Somali waters to protect a Turkish energy research vessel.
Under a deal signed between Turkey and Somalia earlier this year, Ankara is authorised to protect Somali waters against external threats, as well as giving it rights to explore and drill energy sources in the Somali exclusive economic zone.
In July, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced a motion to the Turkish parliament, seeking authorisation for the deployment of Turkish troops to Somalia’s territorial waters.
This move follows a defence and economic cooperation deal between Turkey and Somalia, signed in February, aimed at bolstering Somalia’s maritime defence capabilities and establishing a navy for the African nation.
The motion presented to the Turkish parliament requests a two-year mandate, subject to renewal, granting President Erdogan the authority to deploy the necessary troops, which in this case would likely come from Ankara’s naval forces. According to the motion, this action is in response to a formal request from the Somali government.
“Turkey’s support will include assistance against terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other threats,” the motion states. “The UN Security Council’s resolution of December 1, 2023, on Somalia’s fight against terrorism, also provides a legal basis for this cooperation.””Turkey’s support will include assistance against terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other threats,” the motion states. “The UN Security Council’s resolution of December 1, 2023, on Somalia’s fight against terrorism, also provides a legal basis for this cooperation.”
“The deployment of Turkish Armed Forces will be coordinated with Somali authorities and will cover Somalia’s maritime jurisdiction areas,” the motion adds.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar last week told Turkish media that Turkish Petroleum has a licence for three areas in Somali seas, each field being 5,000 square kilometres. Bayraktar added that Oruc Reis will conduct a 3D seismic study in the area, “which had never been done before”.
He also said that Turkish naval forces will guard the ship. Two sources familiar with the issue said Ankara was planning to deploy two frigates and additional auxiliary ships to secure the area.
Tunc Demirtas, an analyst on African affairs at Seta think tank, said that Ankara was taking utmost caution to guard the ship because it would operate in the open ocean.
“This is the first time a Turkish research vessel would operate in the ocean,” he told Middle East Eye. “The ship has to be protected from pirates as well as possible land-based threats.”
Turkey and Somalia signed a defence and economic cooperation deal in February, aimed at bolstering Somalia’s maritime defence capabilities and establishing a navy for the African nation.
The secret deal was reportedly concluded in response to Ethiopia’s agreement with the breakaway state of Somaliland in January, which grants Addis Ababa the right to build a military port there.
Two rounds of talks hosted by Turkey to find a middle ground between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa earlier this year have not yielded any results.
Following the recent deepening ties between Turkey and Somalia, the Turkish Navy warship TCG Kinaliada made a port call in Mogadishu on April 23. This visit is part of a larger voyage marking a century of bilateral relations between Turkey and Somalia.
Ankara’s ties to Somalia, which began in 2011 when Erdogan visited famine-stricken Mogadishu, have evolved from a humanitarian initiative to a comprehensive security and commercial partnership. Somalia now hosts Turkey’s largest overseas military base. Additionally, Turkey’s sale of armed drones to Ethiopia in 2021 played a significant role in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to defeat Tigray forces in Ethiopia’s civil war.
In March, Turkey and Somalia also inked an oil and gas exploration deal to allow the Turkish government to work on the Somali offshore fields.
Meanwhile, Turkey is in advanced discussions with Somalia to establish a missile and space rocket test site in the Horn of Africa. This strategic move is driven by Turkey’s need for long-range testing of its ballistic missile program and its aspirations to join the global space race.
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