Turkey deepens commitment to Somali security and stability

The Turkish parliament approved a motion to deploy the military in Somalia for two years to support security against terrorism and other threats under the Turkey-Somalia defense cooperation agreement.

Signed by President Erdogan, the motion states Turkey has provided training, assistance, and advisory support in Somalia for over 10 years to ensure security, stability, and to help restructure Somalia’s defense forces to combat terrorism.

The motion emphasizes that since 2009, the Turkish army has supported international efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism in the Gulf of Aden, excluding Somali territorial waters, the Arabian Sea, and nearby regions.

This support is based on the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the UN Security Council resolution of Dec. 16, 2008.

The mandate, extended by the Turkish parliament on Jan. 17 for another year, notes Turkey will command Combined Task Force-151 for the seventh time starting in July, despite Somali forces not reaching desired levels due to economic challenges.

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