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Somalia

August 21, 2026

Mogadishu 5:41 pm

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Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence

Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support for Somalia’s federal institutions.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the launch of an offshore energy exploration at the port in Mogadishu on April 10, 2026.

Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia: What to know

A Somali Defense Ministry statement initially said Turkish F-16s carried out strikes on Al-Shabab targets before a later version referred only to “international partners.”

Latest News

Turkey launches first overseas drilling mission in Somalia: What to know

This picture taken on Oct. 19, 2020 in Istanbul shows Turkey's third drilling ship 'Kanuni' as it enters the bosphorus near Haydarpasa port.

This aerial view shows residents waving Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

Somalia’s president heads to Turkey as Israel’s Somaliland recognition rattles region

The Somali leader’s visit comes amid a heightened Turkish-Israeli rivalry, fueled by Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, in the region and beyond.

This picture taken on Aug. 23, 2019 in Istanbul shows a view of Turkish General Directorate of Mineral research and Exploration's (MTA) Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port, which searches for hydrocarbon, oil, natural gas and coal reserves at sea.

Analysis

Turkey moves into Somalia’s untapped oil, raises stakes in Horn of Africa

Turkey’s plan to start drilling in 2026 marks its most assertive bid yet to secure a strategic foothold in Somalia, as Mogadishu continues to fight an Islamist insurgency.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Wadani party presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, speaks during a press conference on November 10, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Somaliland presidential election.

Somaliland leader courts Ethiopia in recognition push: What to know

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi visited Ethiopia for talks focused on security and economic cooperation as the Somali breakaway territory seeks global recognition.

Egypt army

Egypt, Somalia discuss military ties as Cairo set to deploy troops for AU mission

The Egyptian and Somali defense ministers met in Cairo to discuss strengthening military cooperation, marking the latest sign of deepening military ties between the two African nations amid the volatile situation in the Horn of Africa.

His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, president of the Federal Republic of Somalia (R), received His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, minister of state, at the start of a working visit to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Aug. 28, 2025.

Somalia, UAE hold talks as tensions simmer over Puntland, Somaliland

The visit occurred on the same day that Somalia's president met with Sudan’s intelligence chief.

United Arab Emirates

LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images

Somaliland fumes over Turkish envoy's meeting with rebel figure: What to know

As diplomatic tensions flare between Ankara and Hargeisa after a Turkish envoy met a rebel figure in Mogadishu, Ankara is downplaying the encounter as circumstantial.

Wadani party presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, speaks during a press conference on Nov. 10, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Somaliland presidential election.

Somaliland leader to visit Washington as US weighs recognition: What to know

Somaliland, whose independence from Somalia remains unrecognized internationally, is reaching out to the Trump administration with strategic offers — including discussions about hosting displaced Gazans — to secure US recognition.

A cargo ship is seen in a port in central Mogadishu, Somalia, April 25, 2025.

Somalia’s Puntland releases Turkey arms cargo ship: What to know

Talks between Turkey and Puntland follow the seizure of a military cargo ship amid simmering disputes over authority with Mogadishu.

Azerbaijan

Somalia's FM visits Azerbaijan, talks energy cooperation: What we know

Somalia and Azerbaijan agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields during the Somali foreign minister’s visit to Baku.

Travelers from the Middle East arrive at the International Arrivals section at Los Angeles International Airport on June 29, 2017.

Trump travel ban 2.0: Assessing the impact on Mideast nations

Trump’s new decision excludes Syria and Iraq, both of which were part of his previous ban issued during his first term in 2017.

This general view shows the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Guba, Ethiopia, on Feb. 19, 2022.

Analysis

Against Ethiopia, Egypt courts East African states over Nile dam dispute

Tensions over a wide range of issues, including Ethiopia’s ambitions for Red Sea access, are likely to worsen the dispute with Egypt over Addis Ababa’s controversial dam on the Nile River.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics