ANKARA — Turkey’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deployment of elite troops to Somalia to protect offshore oil exploration operations, specifically targeting the security of the drilling vessel Çağrı Bey, which is currently carrying out exploration activities in Somali territorial waters.
Turkish authorities described this initiative as an enhancement of security collaboration with Somalia, emphasizing the protection of natural resources and personnel engaged in energy initiatives. Turkish officials stressed that maintaining security for exploration activities is crucial for Somalia’s economic advancement and the nation’s objective of harnessing its potential oil resources.
Turkish Naval Assets Deployed for Maritime Security
The deployment follows the arrival of a high-level Turkish naval delegation and a fleet of vessels in Mogadishu earlier this year. The fleet includes an oil exploration and drilling ship docked alongside security support vessels, deployed under a bilateral agreement with Ankara regarding offshore oil survey and drilling operations. High-level security talks between State Minister of Defense Omar Abdi Ali and Turkish Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mustafa Kaya focused on expanding training initiatives for the Somali Navy and Coast Guard, protecting national interests including fisheries and offshore resources, and strengthening strategic coordination to combat piracy and trafficking.
Türkiye is preparing to commence oil production in Somalia, marking a historic leap in economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations, with exploration and production set to take place both onshore and offshore.
F-16s and Tanks Deployed to Secure Turkish Assets
The troop deployment comes weeks after Turkey deployed F-16 fighter jets to Somalia in late January 2026, marking the first time Turkish combat aircraft have been stationed in the country. According to Agence France-Presse, the aircraft are operated by Turkish forces stationed in the country rather than by the Somali military.
In February 2026, Turkey also dispatched aging U.S.-made M48 and M60 tanks through the streets of Mogadishu in a protected convoy after being unloaded from a Turkish Navy landing ship. According to reports, the tanks were deployed to secure Turkish facilities in the Warsheikh area, about 37 miles north of the capital, where Ankara is building a spaceport intended for satellite launches and, according to reports, ballistic missile tests.
Growing Turkish Military Footprint in Somalia
The Çağrı Bey drillship, formerly known as the West Draco, represents a highly sophisticated deep-sea drilling platform managed by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation, embarking on its first major foreign assignment in Somalia.
Ankara has been progressively strengthening its strategic bilateral relations with Somalia over more than a decade. Since 2017, Turkey has operated its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, where it trains thousands of Somali soldiers and assists in the fight against Al-Shabaab. Turkey has been a key ally to Somalia, providing significant support in areas such as military training, infrastructure development, and humanitarian aid.
The elite Gorgor Battalion, trained by Turkish military instructors at the TurkSom Military Academy in Mogadishu, has become one of Somalia’s most respected fighting units, known for its discipline, mobility, and front-line engagement against militant groups. Turkish instructors have conducted specialized training for members of the elite Gorgor unit, with footage released by the Turkish Ministry of Defence showing Somali officers undergoing advanced tactical drills in infantry maneuvers, urban warfare, and counter-terrorism operations.
Turkey Reaffirms Commitment to Somalia’s Security
Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense has reiterated that the strategic defense collaboration between Turkey and Somalia continues unabated under previously established bilateral accords. This enduring cooperation concentrates heavily on training Somali national forces, enhancing their operational battlefield capabilities, and coordinating vital counter-terrorism efforts.
Furthermore, the partnership is increasingly focused on safeguarding Somalia’s vast economic resources and strategic maritime assets, which aligns with the recent deployment of Turkish naval and air assets to Mogadishu. Over recent years, Turkey has massively increased its footprint in Somalia’s security and defense domains, from operating its largest overseas military academy to deploying specialized troops to support major security missions.
Global Investment in Somalia’s Energy Sector
Turkey’s commitment to Somalia’s energy sector is part of a broader international interest in the country’s hydrocarbon potential. Somalia is emerging as a hotspot for international energy investment, with its petroleum and mineral sector attracting interest from around the world beyond its longstanding partnership with Turkey. Several international firms, including U.S.-based Coastline Exploration and Liberty Petroleum, have secured Production Sharing Agreements with Somalia.
“The Turkish agreement is advancing smoothly. No security issues have occurred, reinforcing the safety and reliability of Somalia’s waters for exploration, production, and commercialization,” Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Daahir Shire Mohamed has stated.
Çağrı Bey: A Historic Energy Milestone
Somalia has officially announced its readiness to commence inaugural offshore oil drilling operations. Minister Shire characterized this rapid advancement toward the nation’s first offshore drilling as a monumental achievement.
“This is a historic milestone in our offshore energy journey. A new chapter begins,” Shire stated.
The Çağrı Bey vessel represents a critical asset in the search for commercially exploitable oil deposits. The vessel set sail from a southern Turkish port, Taşucu Port in Mersin’s Silifke district, in a ceremony during which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed participants by phone and said he hoped to hear “good news from Somalia.”
Geopolitical Implications
Turkey reaffirmed its comprehensive commitment to Somalia, noting continued support in military training, security cooperation, and development programs, reinforcing its status as a key strategic partner. This deployment indicates a strengthening Turkey-Somalia alliance, especially within the strategic energy domain.
Successful oil exploration could substantially contribute to Somalia’s economic growth, but simultaneously intensifies geopolitical attention and competition over the nation’s natural wealth. International research estimates suggest that Somalia possesses billions of barrels of untapped petroleum reserves.
The deployment has drawn international attention, with Israeli circles expressing increasing concern over rapid Turkish movements in the energy sector, viewing Ankara’s expansion of its naval and military presence as having strategic dimensions that go beyond immediate economic interests.
