BAIDOA — A demonstration in support of Türkiye’s role in Somalia was held Tuesday in Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, with participants voicing support for the longstanding partnership between Somalia and Türkiye and highlighting Ankara’s assistance in security, development, and humanitarian affairs.
The gathering reflected growing public support in some quarters for closer ties between the two countries and for Türkiye’s continued role in supporting Somalia’s stability and development. The rally in Baidoa follows a series of protests in other parts of Somalia where demonstrators burned the Turkish flag and accused Ankara of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
The contrasting demonstrations illustrate the deep divisions within Somalia over Türkiye’s military and political role, particularly following the September 3 explosion at the residence of former Somali Custodial Corps commander General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, known as Taliye Shub, in Doolow district of the Gedo region.
Protests and Counter-Protests Across Somalia
Protests erupted in Kismayo, Afmadow, Doolow, and Garbahaarrey in Jubaland, as well as in Dangoroyo in Puntland, where hundreds demonstrated against Türkiye. Some protesters burned Turkish flags and chanted slogans critical of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while others carried placards reading “We don’t need Erdogan.”
Jubaland authorities accused Turkish drones of carrying out the strike on General Shub’s residence, describing the incident as a direct indication that Türkiye had abandoned the neutral role it had previously played in Somalia’s affairs [citation:8]. The regional administration said Türkiye would “no longer be regarded as neutral” and called for a review of the arms embargo lifting on Somalia.
The federal government has denied that an airstrike occurred, saying preliminary information indicated that explosions were caused by explosives being prepared inside the house. A fact-finding committee has been appointed to investigate the incident. Türkiye has not officially commented on the allegations.
The Baidoa demonstration, which was organized by a group supporting the Türkiye-Somalia partnership, reflects the view among some Somalis that Turkish assistance has been vital to the country’s efforts to rebuild its security forces and address humanitarian challenges. Türkiye operates its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu and has trained elite Somali units, including the Gorgor commandos.
Coordinated Messaging and Political Divisions
The differing public reactions to Türkiye’s role reflect broader political divisions between the federal government in Mogadishu and several regional administrations. Jubaland, Puntland, and South West State have all expressed grievances against the federal government in recent months, and the Doolow incident has become another point of contention.
The federal government and its allies have issued coordinated statements defending Türkiye and characterizing criticism of Ankara as disinformation. A forum held in Mogadishu on September 10, organized by the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, brought together Somali and Turkish officials to discuss cooperation on countering what the two governments describe as disinformation.
In May 2026, Turkey deployed F-16 fighter jets over Mogadishu, coinciding with the start of planned opposition demonstrations. The low-altitude flights and the overnight positioning of dozens of Turkish-supplied armored vehicles at major Mogadishu intersections marked one of Ankara’s most overt shows of support for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Turkey has also played a mediation role in Somalia’s political crisis, with Turkish officials conducting separate meetings with federal government officials and opposition leaders following clashes in Mogadishu.
Critics have raised questions about the transparency of Somalia-Türkiye agreements, including the undisclosed terms of the defence and economic cooperation framework signed in 2024 and the planned space facility in Warsheikh. The two countries have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen regulatory cooperation in electronic communications, including satellite communications regulation, cybersecurity, spectrum management, and telecommunications network security.
Critical Note
The contrasting demonstrations in Baidoa and other Somali cities illustrate the degree to which Türkiye’s role in Somalia has become politicized. What was once a broadly welcomed partnership has become a lightning rod for grievances against the federal government, particularly in regions where relations with Mogadishu have deteriorated. The Baidoa rally shows that support for Türkiye persists in some quarters, but the protests in Jubaland and Puntland signal that the perception of Ankara as a neutral partner has been damaged.
The lack of an independent investigation into the Doolow incident remains a critical gap. The federal government’s denial of an airstrike and the appointment of a fact-finding committee are steps that could clarify what occurred, but the credibility of the process will depend on its transparency and independence. Until the facts are established, the competing narratives will continue to fuel division and undermine confidence in both the federal government and its international partners.
The coordinated messaging from Mogadishu and Ankara on countering disinformation, while understandable from a public relations standpoint, risks obscuring legitimate concerns about transparency and accountability. The terms of Somalia’s agreements with Türkiye, particularly those involving military cooperation, maritime resources, and the Warsheikh facility, have not been fully disclosed to the Somali public or subjected to parliamentary scrutiny. For the partnership to be sustainable, it must be grounded in transparency and serve the interests of all Somalis, not just those aligned with the current federal administration.
