MOGADISHU, Somalia — Türkiye’s development agency has repaired and returned to service two patrol boats operated by Somalia’s navy and coast guard, in a move aimed at strengthening maritime security along the country’s coastline.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, known as TİKA, said the maintenance and repair work had restored the vessels to operational condition and would help Somali maritime authorities combat smuggling, illegal fishing and other illicit activity in Somali territorial waters.
The boats are expected to be used in patrol and maritime-security operations, including efforts to improve Somalia’s ability to monitor and control its territorial waters.
TİKA said the project was part of Türkiye’s broader support for strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of partner countries in Africa. It also said the work was expected to contribute to bilateral maritime-security cooperation and to supporting and protecting Turkish interests in activities carried out in Somali waters.
Expanding maritime cooperation
The repairs come as Somalia and Türkiye deepen cooperation over the security of Somalia’s long coastline.
Under a 10-year defence and economic cooperation framework signed in 2024, Türkiye committed to helping build, train and equip the Somali navy. The agreement also provides for cooperation to strengthen maritime security and combat piracy and illegal fishing.
Türkiye has also provided training to personnel serving in Somalia’s navy and coast guard as part of its efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to tackle piracy and other illicit maritime activities.
TİKA previously repaired four Somali patrol boats in 2024 and supported training for the personnel who operate and maintain them.
The latest repairs come amid renewed concerns over maritime security off Somalia’s coast. In August, pirates seized the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf off Puntland before Somali and Turkish forces later helped recover the vessel. The incident highlighted continuing vulnerabilities in waters where piracy had declined significantly in previous years.
Somalia has also increased efforts to exercise greater control over its territorial waters. In April, the Somali government said vessels operating in its territorial waters would require authorization from Somali authorities, as Mogadishu sought to strengthen its maritime jurisdiction.
The restored patrol boats are expected to add to the capacity of Somali maritime forces as the government works to protect coastal communities, combat illegal activities at sea and strengthen security along one of the Horn of Africa’s most strategically important coastlines.
