The extension follows a motion submitted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who said the deployment remains vital to strengthening Somalia’s security institutions and preserving stability in the Horn of Africa.
MOGADISHU – Türkiye’s parliament has approved a two-year extension of its military mission in Somalia, reaffirming Ankara’s long-term commitment to supporting Somalia’s security forces in the fight against terrorism and maritime threats.
The new mandate, which takes effect on July 27, authorizes Turkish Armed Forces to continue providing military training, advisory support and assistance to Somalia. It also allows Turkish forces to support efforts against Al-Shabaab, piracy, illegal fishing, arms smuggling and other security threats, including within Somalia’s maritime domain.
The extension follows a motion submitted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who said the deployment remains vital to strengthening Somalia’s security institutions and preserving stability in the Horn of Africa.
Türkiye has been one of Somalia’s closest security partners for more than a decade. Since opening the TURKSOM military training base in Mogadishu in 2017, Ankara has trained thousands of Somali soldiers and expanded cooperation in defense, maritime security and military capacity building.
While the extension received broad support in parliament, some opposition lawmakers questioned the government’s transparency over the deployment and called for greater parliamentary oversight of Türkiye’s military role in Somalia.
The renewed mandate comes as Somalia continues military operations against Al-Shabaab while seeking to strengthen its security forces and protect its coastline and offshore resources.
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