Türkiye expands its military presence in Somalia amid protests and accusations of interference

Turkish F-16 fighter jets launched missiles in the vicinity of the city of Baidoa in southern Somalia on Monday (September 28, 2026), to support federal forces in repelling an attack launched by forces loyal to a deposed state governor.

Turkey was also accused of carrying out an air strike on September 3, which resulted in the injury of opposition leader General Mohd Abdul Rahman in the southern town of Dolo, while the government said he was injured as a result of the explosion of explosive devices “that were being prepared inside the house.”

The incident sparked protests against Türkiye, the likes of which are rarely recorded in the region, during which some demonstrators burned the Turkish flag and pictures of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Türkiye is a new colonial force that occupies Somalia and kills the Somali people,” local official Omar Abdullahi told a crowd of demonstrators in neighboring Afamdo. He added, "Aren't we, as of today, at war with Türkiye?"

Huge investments

While many Western countries are tired of financing a country experiencing ongoing conflict, Türkiye has established its largest military base abroad in Somalia. It is also building a space base on the Somali coast dedicated to launch operations and satellite technologies, and has also entered the field of oil exploration.

The Turks trained Somali forces, provided aid during droughts, floods, and famines, and contributed to the development of the capital, Mogadishu, and lighting the streets with solar energy, while Turkish companies manage the city’s airport and port.

Many Somalis feel grateful, especially after Washington reduced vital aid needed to fight the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab movement, which controls large areas of the country.

Piracy operations off the coast of Somalia have witnessed a noticeable escalation since April, with at least 15 attacks recorded this year, the highest number since 2013, according to the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations.

But the opposition parties say that Turkish military training, vehicles and marches, which were primarily intended to fight Al-Shabaab, are being used against them and their militias, including during political confrontations that Mogadishu witnessed in June.

Somalia is witnessing a deep political crisis after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud passed decisions that did not enjoy popular support, including extending his term for a year. The opposition met with Turkish diplomats to warn them against taking sides.

"full cooperation"

Despite this, Turkish construction work continues.

A local official, who requested to remain anonymous, said that the first phase of the space base in Warsheikh, about 70 kilometers north of Mogadishu, is supposed to be completed soon.

Turkey intends to remain in Somalia in the long term, and its interests go far beyond the current government. A high-ranking Turkish official who follows the Somali file said: “There have been successive presidents and politicians to rule, and we worked in full cooperation with them.” He added, "All political parties in Somalia know that Türkiye's support is directed to the Somali people and Somalia, and not to any specific political orientation."

A Western diplomat based in Mogadishu supported this view. He told Agence France-Presse: "Türkiye is a very sophisticated party and will support whoever guarantees its interests in the best way."

"mislead"

The Somali government says the opposition is using "disinformation" to harm the relationship with Türkiye. “It was shameful to see the Turkish flag burned on Somali soil,” Parliament Speaker Abdiqadir Mohamed Nur said during an event to revive the partnership on September 9.

Somali MP Amina Mohamed Mursal told AFP that the Turks: “Our brothers and sisters... they came to our aid in difficult times.”

But some Somalis are still wary. Tahir Ahmed, a resident of Mogadishu, told AFP: “It is no longer possible to view Türkiye as a neutral partner... Its support for the leadership of the federal government deepens political divisions and fuels our discontent.”