The Turkish Navy will officially begin its mission to Somalia next Monday. At least four ships will participate in the Turkish-Somali Maritime Task Force, which will provide maritime security.
The move is to ensure the security of oil and gas exploration and development activities off the coast of Somalia, as well as other commercial projects jointly implemented by the two countries.
The mission is part of a broader defense and energy cooperation agreement signed by Somalia and Turkey in 2024, which will allow Turkish companies to explore for oil resources in Somali waters.
The agreement also obliges Turkey to help protect the coast and develop the capabilities of the Somali navy.
According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the warships will also provide support to the Çağrı Bey research and drilling vessel that set sail for Somalia in mid-February, which is scheduled to conduct deep oil and gas exploration in the Somali waters.
The Turkish government has said that drilling for oil wells could begin off the coast of Somalia in 2026, a move that would ensure that commercial oil is produced off the coast of Somalia for the first time.
