Turkish Parliament approves deployment of naval troops to Somalia

The Turkish Parliament has approved a motion granting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the authority to deploy Turkish naval forces to Somali waters.

This decision marks a significant step in the implementation of the defence and economic cooperation agreement between Turkey and Somalia, according to Somalia's Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed.

In a statement shared on social media, Mohamed described the parliamentary approval as a "crucial milestone" in strengthening the relationship between the two nations.

He highlighted that the presence of Turkish naval forces would enhance the maritime security of Somalia's coast, which has been plagued by piracy, illicit weapons trafficking, and terrorism among other threats.

"The approval of the motion by the Turkish parliament that grants President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the authority to send naval troops to Somalia marks a crucial milestone in implementing the defence and economic cooperation agreement between Somalia and Turkey," Abdulkadir stated on X.

The deployment is seen as a means to bolster the security of the region, particularly in combating piracy and other maritime threats.

The Defence Minister emphasized that the collaboration between Turkey and Somalia aims not only to stabilize the waters off the Somali coast but also to strengthen the overall partnership between the two countries.

"In the efforts to enhance maritime security, Turkey and Somalia are not only working towards stabilizing the waters of the Somali coast but also fostering a partnership that underscores their commitment to regional peace and security and bolsters efforts in combating terrorism, piracy, illicit weapons trafficking, and other threats," Abdulkadir said.

The decision by the Turkish Parliament was not without controversy. Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, initially opposed the motion, citing concerns that the deployment of Turkish troops in Somali waters could create tensions with other regional countries. Despite these concerns, the motion was passed on Saturday.

The move has also drawn a response from the breakaway region of Somaliland. On Wednesday, Somaliland's government issued a statement warning against any deployment of Turkish forces in its maritime zones. The statement expressed strong opposition to what it described as potential encroachments on its recognized maritime territory.

"The Government of the Republic of Somaliland vehemently rejects any potential deployment of Turkish naval forces within Somaliland's recognized maritime zones," the official statement read.

In addition to the naval deployment, Turkey is planning to send a drilling ship to Somali waters for the exploration of hydrocarbon resources. This was announced by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar last week.

The exploration initiative is part of the broader cooperation framework established between the two countries.

The defence and economic cooperation agreement between Turkey and Somalia was signed in February this year during a visit by Somalia's defence minister to Ankara.

The agreement is part of a growing relationship between the two nations, which has seen Turkey become a close ally of the Somali government in recent years.

Turkey has invested in building schools, hospitals, and infrastructure in Somalia, and has provided scholarships for Somali citizens to study in Turkey.