Turkish Ground Forces Enter Mogadishu for First Time in History
Turkish Ground forces Enter Somalia’s Capital for the First Time
According too a report by the English section of Webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Russia Al-Youm, two military aircraft carrying 500 Turkish troops along with heavy combat equipment arrived at Mogadishu International Airport in Somalia’s capital.
This comes as Somalia faces escalating internal security tensions. The troops were transferred to Turkey’s military base, known as Turksom, located in the Al-Jazeera district of Mogadishu. This base is Turkey’s largest in Africa.
It is reported that the total number of Turkish forces expected to be deployed in Somalia will exceed 2,500 personnel.
In 2024, Turkey’s parliament approved a proposal by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to station troops in somalia. It remains unclear whether these forces will engage in combat operations or have a support mission.
Analysts suggest that Turkish troops will secure sensitive positions in Mogadishu, particularly oil-rich areas.
