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Somalia

October 3, 2024

Mogadishu 6:24 pm

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Paratroopers jump off an Egyptian C-130 Hercules military plane during the "Guardians of the Nile" joint military drill between Egypt and Sudan in the Um Sayyala area, northwest of Khartoum, on May 31, 2021.

Analysis

Ethiopia’s naval ambitions, Egypt-Somalia alliance shake Horn of Africa balance

The already volatile situation in the Horn of Africa is unlikely to subside soon as Egypt expands its role in Somalia, further raising tensions with Ethiopia.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Turkish Army Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar (L) escorts Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire during an inauguration ceremony of the Turkish military base in Mogadishu on Sept. 30, 2017.

Turkey seeks to set up space rocket launchpad in Somalia

Turkey’s endeavors in Somalia come amid growing tensions in the already volatile Horn of Africa, where a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland raised concerns of foreign interference.

A military vehicle is seen at the Rafah border crossing to Gaza on October 19, 2023 in North Sinai, Egypt. The aid convoy, organized by a group of Egyptian NGOs, set off Saturday 14th October from Cairo for the Gaza-Egypt border crossing at Rafah. On October 7th, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on border communities in southern Israel, spurring the most violent flare-up of the Israel-Palestine conflict in decades. Israel launched a vast bombing campaign in retaliation and has

Egypt sends military aid to Somalia as tensions soar with Ethiopia

Tensions in the region are high following the signing of a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland as several countries including Egypt and Turkey seek a foothold in Somalia.

A blind man guided by a girl walk in front of a sign, in the city of Hargeisa, Somaliland, on September 16, 2021. - For 30 years, Somaliland has tried unsuccessfully to convince the world of its case for statehood, holding democratic elections and avoiding the anarchy that engulfed the rest of Somalia. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP) (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Somaliland rejects Turkey-led proposal for Ethiopia-Somalia talks

The breakaway region reaffirmed its commitment to a controversial deal it signed with Ethiopia in the face of Turkey’s alternative proposal.

Latest News

Analysis

What’s next for Ethiopia-Somalia rift as talks in Turkey end with no breakthrough?

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ethiopia-Somalia set for second round of talks in Turkey next week

Somali and Turkish foreign ministers

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Analysis

Will Turkey’s military presence in Somalia lead to conflict with Somaliland?

HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Somaliland warns against Turkey's naval deployment off Somalia's coast

This picture taken on October 29, 2023, in Istanbul shows Turkish naval forces warship Frigates TCG F 497, Goksu sails during a military naval parade on Bosphorus to mark 100th anniversary celebrations of Turkish republic.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with his counterpart, Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia, in Ankara, on May 9, 2024.

Turkey to host second round of Ethiopia-Somalia talks in September: Fidan

The first round of talks began in Ankara on Monday with the top diplomats of Turkey, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Troops from the Ethiopian African Union Mission to Somalia on patrol, in Baidoa, Somalia, Sept. 3, 2022.

Analysis

Somalia eyes fresh external support amid fears of al-Shabab takeover

Mogadishu’s counterinsurgency effort appears to be faltering as African peacekeepers prepare to leave, fanning fears of an Afghanistan-like collapse.

Cagatay Cebe

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

A Somali boy holds a Turkish national flag as people celebrate the victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won the presidential run-off election in Mogadishu, on May 29, 2023. (Photo by Hassan Ali Elmi / AFP) (Photo by HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images)

Somalia strikes by Turkish drones killed 23 civilians, including children: Amnesty

The international watchdog called on the governments of Somalia and Turkey to investigate the incidents for potential “war crimes.”

A view from a hotel roof top of downtown Mogadishu close to the site of a double truck bombs in early November in Mogadishu on November 10, 2022.

At least two staff of Turkey-based aid group killed in explosion in Somalia

Turkey-based humanitarian organization says it was targeted deliberately.

HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images

After defense deal, Turkey and Somalia ink energy accord amid Somaliland tensions

Turkey is hailing its new agreement with Somalia as it works to enhance its presence in the Horn of Africa.

Ed Ram/Getty Images

Turkey confirms Somalia maritime security deal amid Somaliland tensions

Somalia ratified a defense cooperation agreement signed with Turkey earlier this month that would see Ankara help Mogadishu secure its maritime interests.

Abdikadir Mohamed Nour (L), the minister of defense of Somalia, signs a security pact with Turkiye’s Minister of Defense Yasar Guler, on Feb. 8, 2024.

Turkey, Somalia sign defense deal in wake of Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement

The deal, which includes cooperation against terrorism, comes as tensions in the Horn of Africa over a controversial deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland continue to simmer.

AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed downplays war risk with Somalia over Somaliland deal

Ethiopian premier has said his country has no intention of fighting with Somalia and that it's ready to negotiate with Egypt and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance (GERD) standoff.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 13: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks during a news conference calling for a ceasefire in Gaza outside the U.S. Capitol building on November 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Democrats held the news conference alongside rabbis with the activist group Jewish Voices for Peace. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

What’s behind Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's Somaliland controversy?

The oft-criticized Democratic congresswoman expressed support for Somalia in its territorial dispute with Somaliland in a recent speech. The Arab League and Turkey are also backing Mogadishu over the issue.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Somali president visits Qatar, Egypt amid row over Somaliland-Ethiopia deal

The tour comes after Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland signed a controversial deal that would give Addis Ababa access to the Red Sea.

A meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo on May 7, 2023.

Alarmed over Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, Arab FMs rally behind Somalia, Egypt

Somalia denied entry to an Ethiopian flight heading to Somaliland, as a controversial deal signed between the latter and Ethiopia continues to be a source of concern in the region.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed

No jail time for Somali president’s son over deadly crash in Turkey

The Somali president's son was not present at the trial, which Turkey's main opposition slammed as a "sham."