MOGADISHU — A Turkish military transport docked at Mogadishu Port this week, offloading a shipment of M48 and M60 Patton battle tanks in a move that signals a significant escalation of Ankara’s military footprint in the Horn of Africa.
Visuals confirmed by local media and eyewitness accounts revealed the heavily armored vehicles being unloaded and traveling through the capital in a tightly secured convoy.
Shielding Strategic Assets
This deployment coincides with Turkey’s efforts to safeguard critical aerospace and satellite projects currently being established in Somalia.
According to informed security sources, the tanks will be positioned to defend Turkish installations in the Warshiikh district, situated approximately 60 kilometers north of Mogadishu.
The location is reportedly being prepared for missile and satellite launch operations, leveraging Somalia’s equatorial position—an optimal site for aerospace trajectories.
“The protection of the Warshiikh installations represents a primary concern for Ankara,” stated a security expert who requested anonymity. “As the aerospace project advances into a critical stage, these tanks offer an essential shield against unconventional threats in the Middle Shabelle region.”
A Shift in Posture
The increase in heavy military equipment follows recent security assessments regarding Turkish personnel and facilities.
Although Turkey has operated its largest overseas military training center, TURKSOM, in Mogadishu for several years, the addition of main battle tanks indicates a move toward a more robust, self-sufficient defensive approach.
This mobilization aligns with Turkey’s recent introduction of F-16 fighter aircraft to the area, demonstrating a broader dedication to protecting its multi-billion-dollar investments in Somalia’s energy and technology sectors.
The Somali Ministry of Defense and the Turkish Embassy have refrained from making formal comments regarding the quantity of tanks or the duration of their deployment.
