MOGADISHU — Somalia is considering joining a newly established defense and security partnership between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, a move that could deepen military cooperation and strengthen security coordination across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
Somalia’s Ministry of Defense has welcomed the trilateral agreement, expressing support for initiatives aimed at strengthening defense cooperation among friendly countries and promoting regional peace and stability.
“The Federal Government of Somalia has always welcomed every initiative aimed at strengthening security and defense cooperation among friendly countries in order to achieve a secure and prosperous region,” the ministry said in a statement.
Somalia’s position follows a call by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for other countries interested in strengthening regional defense cooperation to consider joining the emerging framework.
Although Mogadishu has not formally announced its accession, Somalia’s reported interest reflects its longstanding defense and security relationships with all three countries.
Türkiye has become one of Somalia’s most important security partners, providing military training, equipment and other assistance to strengthen the Somali National Army. Ankara has also supported Somalia’s efforts to develop its defense institutions and improve the capabilities of its armed forces.
Saudi Arabia maintains close political, economic and security relations with Somalia and remains an important partner for Mogadishu in the Gulf and wider Arab world. Pakistan also has longstanding military ties with Somalia, including cooperation in training and security capacity-building.
If Somalia eventually joins the partnership, its participation could give the emerging alliance a broader strategic dimension, particularly as Mogadishu seeks to strengthen national security institutions and assume greater responsibility for the country’s security.
The potential move could also have wider implications for the security dynamics of the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, where maritime security, regional competition and strategic shipping routes have become increasingly important.
Somalia’s geographical position makes it particularly significant to any broader regional security arrangement. The country has one of Africa’s longest coastlines and sits along the Gulf of Aden, close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Greater defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan could therefore extend beyond military training and counterterrorism to include maritime security, protection of commercial shipping, intelligence cooperation and broader regional security coordination.
For Mogadishu, participation could also provide an additional platform for strengthening the Somali military and expanding international defense partnerships as the government works to confront persistent security threats and build more capable national institutions.
However, Somalia’s final decision on whether to join the framework, as well as the precise terms and obligations of any potential membership, remain unclear.
Any formal decision would likely require further diplomatic consultations between Somalia and the three founding members before an accession agreement is reached.
