Turkey is expanding its presence in Somali waters by sending navy support as part of a new agreement with Somalia to prospect for oil and gas. President Tayyip Erdogan has requested authorization from the Turkish parliament for the deployment of military forces to the region, including territorial waters.
Following a recent energy cooperation deal, Turkey announced plans to send an exploration vessel off the coast of Somalia to search for hydrocarbon resources. The move comes after a defense and economic cooperation agreement was signed earlier this year between the two countries.
Over the past few years, Turkey has strengthened its alliance with Somalia by providing educational and infrastructure support. Turkish efforts include building schools and hospitals, offering scholarships for Somalis to study in Turkey, and establishing a military base in Mogadishu.
With Turkey’s continued investment in Somalia’s development and security, the partnership between the two nations is expected to grow further in the coming years.
(Source: Reuters)