MOGADISHU, Somalia – Türkiye will deploy two frigates to Somalia on Oct. 30 to transport supplies by sea and rotate military personnel stationed in the region, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
Ministry spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk announced that the frigates TCG Gökçeada and TCG Yıldırım would begin their deployment as part of the Turkish Naval Forces’ ongoing activities in Somalia.
The ministry did not disclose the nature or quantity of the supplies or specify whether they were intended for Turkish personnel or Somali security forces, according to local media reports.
The deployment comes as Ankara and Mogadishu continue to deepen defense and security cooperation, including military training, capacity-building and support for Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its national armed forces.
Türkiye operates the TURKSOM military training facility in Mogadishu, where Somali soldiers receive training as part of efforts to develop the country’s security capabilities. The two countries have also expanded cooperation in defense and maritime security.
On Oct. 24, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said the Turkish Land Forces commander had received his Somali counterpart and a delegation, with discussions focusing on continued cooperation in defense, training and security.
The latest deployment comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen its security institutions and address threats posed by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than a decade.
Somalia also seeks to enhance its ability to secure its extensive coastline along the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, making maritime security an important area of cooperation with international partners.
The two frigates’ deployment is part of Türkiye’s broader military engagement in Somalia, although the ministry has not announced further operational details about the mission.
