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Somalia

February 8, 2026

Mogadishu 12:23 am

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HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey declares Somalia unity a priority after Israel's Somaliland recognition

Ankara has designated Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a national security priority in its latest expression of support.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, meet on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX2026), Jan. 20, 2026.

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact after Mogadishu scraps UAE deals: What to know

Somalia and Qatar signed a defense cooperation agreement in Doha on Monday to strengthen bilateral military ties and security collaboration, days after Mogadishu ended all its contracts with the United Arab Emirates.

ED RAM/AFP via Getty Images

Somalia cancels UAE agreements amid Yemen, Somaliland divide: What to know

The Somali government said that the decision was a response to "reports and strong evidence of illegal measures to harm the sovereignty" of Somalia.

United Arab Emirates

Somalis celebrate the victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won the presidential run-off election during the celebration organized by the government in Mogadishu, on May 29, 2023.

Analysis

Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is widely dismissed in Ankara as a strategic overreach, but it is nevertheless exposing the limits of Turkey’s influence in Somalia.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa

Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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

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.

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.

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Analysis

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

The two countries will meet next month for a third round, the top Turkish diplomat said.

Ezgi Akin

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

Somali and Turkish foreign ministers

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

Turkey’s framework proposal for the two countries aims to secure Ethiopian access to the Red Sea while ensuring Somalia's territorial integrity.

HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

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

Turkey is playing a long multidimensional game in Somalia and elsewhere in the Horn of Africa as part of its regional and global strategy, and the breakaway region of Somaliland will not change it.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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.

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

The Turkish parliament will soon vote on a two-year mandate allowing the Turkish army to dispatch troops to Somali waters.

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.