21.07.2026 20:31
The motion regarding the Turkish Armed Forces' mission to support security activities in Somalia against terrorism and other threats for a period of 2 years was adopted in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Celal Adan.
SOMALIA MOTION DISCUSSED
The General Assembly discussed the Presidential Motion regarding the extension of the mandate of Turkish military presence in Somalia for an additional two years starting from July 27, 2026. The motion, submitted to the Assembly Presidency with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighted the historical relations, strategic cooperation, and security needs between Somalia and Turkey in the region.
The motion stated that Somalia's strategic location on the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden is important for the entire region, emphasizing that it is a friendly and brotherly country with deep-rooted historical ties.
It noted that Turkey has established multifaceted cooperation with the Somali Federal Government since 2011. The motion recorded that training, assistance, and advisory activities continue under the Framework Agreement on Military Training, Technical, and Scientific Cooperation, the Military Training Cooperation Agreement, the Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement, and the Military Financial Cooperation Agreement currently in force between the two countries. It also recalled that Turkish Armed Forces naval elements have been effectively supporting the fight against maritime piracy and maritime terrorism in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia, and the Arabian Sea since 2009.
"SOMALIA GOVERNMENT REQUESTED AID INCLUDING TSK SUPPORT"
The motion stated that Somali defense and security forces have not reached the desired level due to economic difficulties. It conveyed that the Somali Federal Government aims to establish control over its maritime jurisdiction areas that cannot be economically utilized and requested assistance from Turkey in line with the Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed on February 8, 2024.
Emphasizing that the cooperation with Somalia would contribute to Turkey's national interests and regional stability, the motion said: "Through this cooperation with Somalia, securing Somalia's economic resources, contributing to stability and security in a region critical for our foreign trade and maritime transportation, strengthening our friendship with Somalia, and reinforcing our country's support for efforts against terrorism, maritime piracy, and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions that endanger international peace and stability and could negatively affect our national interests will be ensured."
MANDATE EXTENDED BY 2 YEARS FROM JULY 27, 2026
The motion, requesting the extension of the authorization granted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly's decision dated July 27, 2024, under Article 92 of the Constitution, included the following statements: "In accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution, for the assignment of Turkish Armed Forces elements to support Somalia's security activities against terrorism, maritime piracy, illegal fishing, all forms of smuggling, and other threats, including in Somalia's maritime jurisdiction areas and regions jointly determined by the two countries, under exclusively defined rules, through the implementation of international agreements concluded between Somalia and our country, utilizing cooperation opportunities with third countries and international organizations when necessary, with the scope, extent, quantity, and timing to be determined by the President, and for making necessary arrangements based on principles set by the President, I submit for your information the need to extend the authorization granted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly Decision No. 1423 dated July 27, 2024, for two years starting from July 27, 2026."
TORUN: I SEE SOMALIA NOT THROUGH A FILE BUT THROUGH MY YEARS SPENT THERE
During the discussions on the Somalia Motion in the Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly, Bursa Deputy and former Ambassador to Somalia Cemalettin Kani Torun took the floor on behalf of the New Path Group. In his speech on the motion, Torun drew attention to the history of Turkey-Somalia relations, his field experiences, and the importance of maintaining dialogue with regional actors.
Emphasizing that the text under discussion was not an ordinary military authorization document, Torun recalled that Somalia is one of the countries where Turkey has invested the most effort and resources over the last 15 years and gained international strength. Stating that he had issued warnings from the same podium a few months ago, Torun said, "I stated that what Somalia needs most today is not new political tension but dialogue, not imposition but consensus. We are pleased to see that since May, these warnings have begun to be taken into account, and Turkey has taken a more active role in maintaining dialogue between the parties. The visit of the MIT Director to Somalia was a correct step in this regard, and I hope this approach continues. However, I particularly want to emphasize: Every step taken in Somalia must be taken in a way that preserves the trust Turkey has built so far, because our greatest strength in Somalia is not our military presence but the trust all parties have in us," he said.
Noting that as a former Ambassador to Somalia, he approaches the issue with field experience, Torun stated that Somalia experienced dictatorship for many years, then completely lost state authority and bore the burden of civil war for decades. Emphasizing that rebuilding the state cannot be achieved through decisions made at a desk, Torun said, "Turkey's success in Somalia lies precisely here. We never offered ready-made prescriptions to Somalis, nor did we follow a policy supporting one group against another; on the contrary, we tried to create a ground where Somalis could decide their own future. This has been the most important feature distinguishing Turkey from other countries."
Following the evaluations by deputies on behalf of their groups on the motion, the motion was approved in the vote.