Türkiye Deploys F-16 Jets to Somalia

Tüerkiye has deployed three F-16 fighter jets to Somalia as part of a broader strategy to protect its growing economic and strategic interests in the country, according to a report by Middle East Eye, marking a significant escalation in Ankara’s military presence in the Horn of Africa.

Military Deployment and Infrastructure Preparations

Somali officials familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye that Türkiye completed construction of a dedicated facility at Mogadishu’s international airport to host the fighter jets. Turkish engineers were reportedly on site for several days ahead of the deployment, preparing hangars and support infrastructure.

Satellite imagery reviewed by the outlet shows new hangar construction at the airport since September, while open-source flight data indicates an uptick in Turkish cargo flights over the past ten days, likely transporting spare parts and ammunition.

A source cited by Middle East Eye said the deployment is a preliminary step ahead of Ankara’s plan to dispatch an offshore oil exploration platform to Somali waters later this year. Turkish officials are also reportedly planning a spaceport project in northern Mogadishu.

Ankara’s Official Position

While Türkiye’s defence ministry did not directly confirm the F-16 deployment, ministry sources told local media that Ankara maintains an air command presence in Somalia.

“Our Air Component Command and the Somali-Turkish Task Force based in Somalia continue to contribute to strengthening Somalia’s counterterrorism capabilities through training, advisory support, and military assistance,” the sources said.

Regional Tensions and Security Concerns

Türkiye has long supported Somalia in its fight against the armed group al-Shabab, which continues to control significant territory. However, Ankara’s security calculus has shifted following Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland and rising geopolitical tensions across the Horn of Africa.

In a statement issued after Türkiye’s first National Security Council meeting of 2026, Ankara reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity.

“Türkiye’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia was underscored, and it was emphasised that Türkiye will continue to stand with the Somali people against terrorist organisations,” the statement said.

Deepening Defence Cooperation

On the same day, Somalia’s cabinet unanimously appointed Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud as commander of the Somali National Army. Mohamud holds a master’s degree from a Turkish university and has received extensive training at the Turkish Defence University.

Middle East Eye previously reported that Türkiye deployed three T129 Atak attack helicopters to Mogadishu in June, alongside armed drones including Bayraktar TB2s and Akinci systems. Türkiye has also transferred utility helicopters to the Somali navy under a defence agreement signed in February 2024, which includes assistance in establishing a Somali naval force.

Long-Term Turkish Presence

Since 2011, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government has invested heavily in Somalia, opening Türkiye’s largest embassy worldwide in Mogadishu and delivering more than $1bn in humanitarian aid.

Türkiye operates a major military base in the capital, while Turkish firms manage Mogadishu’s airport and port. Ankara has trained thousands of Somali soldiers—around one-third of the country’s armed forces—both in Türkiye and at its Turksom military facility in Somalia.