By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Turkey has deployed at least three F-16 fighter jets to Somalia as part of its military support for security and counterterrorism operations, according to officials familiar with the deployment.
The advanced combat aircraft are expected to be operated by Turkish forces stationed in Somalia, bolstering operations against militant groups as Ankara deepens its security cooperation with the Horn of Africa nation.
Officials said the deployment is intended to enhance aerial surveillance, deterrence, and operational capacity in the fight against extremist groups that have carried out repeated attacks on civilians, government institutions, and security forces.
Turkey has maintained a substantial military presence in Somalia for several years, including its largest overseas military training base, Camp TURKSOM, located in Mogadishu. Through the facility, Turkey has trained thousands of Somali National Army troops and provided logistical, technical, and strategic support to Somalia’s security forces.
The arrival of the fighter jets highlights Ankara’s expanding role in Somalia’s security sector and reflects its broader regional strategy of backing allied governments confronting insurgent threats. Turkish officials have consistently said their military engagement in Somalia is carried out at the request of the Somali government and is focused on counterterrorism, capacity-building, and long-term stability.
Somalia has been battling an insurgency led by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group for more than a decade. Despite sustained military offensives by Somali forces, supported by international partners, the group continues to carry out deadly attacks.
Neither the Turkish nor the Somali governments have publicly disclosed details regarding the duration of the deployment, the basing locations of the aircraft, or the scope of their operational mandate.
Turkey is one of Somalia’s closest international partners, with involvement spanning security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, infrastructure development, health care, and education. Analysts say Ankara’s sustained engagement has made it one of the most influential foreign actors in Somalia’s post-conflict rebuilding efforts.
