T The Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (TBMM) has ratified the motion for the deployment of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) units in Somalia, including its maritime jurisdiction areas, for two years. The TBMM has approved the legislation concerning the defence cooperation agreement between Turkiye and Somalia.
The presidential motion about the deployment of TSK elements in Somalia for two years, aimed at supporting activities to secure Somalia against terrorism and other threats, was accepted by the TBMM General Assembly. The motion, submitted to the TBMM with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's signature, states that under the existing agreements between Turkiye and Somalia, training, assistance, and advisory activities aimed at ensuring security and stability in Somalia continue.
It notes that for over a decade, support has been extended, in conjunction with the international community, to aid the restructuring of Somali defence and security forces and to develop their capacity to combat terrorism. The motion recalls that TSK naval units have actively supported international efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery, and terrorism at sea in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia (excluding Somali territorial waters), and adjacent regions since 2009.
This support is based on the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 16 December 2008. The motion also highlights that this support, whose mandate was last extended on 17 January 2024 for one year, has contributed to maritime safety off the coast of Somalia. Moreover, Turkiye will command the Combined Task Force 151, which aims at these goals, for the seventh time since July of this year. The motion notes that despite the Somali defence and security forces having sufficient potential in terms of personnel and other resources, economic challenges have hindered their ability to perform their duties at the desired level. The Federal Government of Somalia aims to establish control over maritime jurisdiction areas that are currently economically underutilised and integrate these resources into the Somali economy.
This objective aligns with the Somali Security Sector Development Plan, endorsed at the Somalia Security Conference co-hosted by Turkiye in New York on 12 December 2023, which aims for Somalia to assume full responsibility for its security shortly. Considering these objectives, the motion recalls that a Defence and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed between Turkiye and Somalia on 8 February 2024. This agreement, approved by both countries, details activities intended to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen defence cooperation to effectively and efficiently utilise Somalia's economic resources. Request for Assistance from the Somali Government The motion notes that the Somali government has requested support from the Turkish Armed Forces to combat terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, various forms of smuggling, and other threats, in line with the objectives agreed upon in the abovementioned agreement.
It includes the following statements: "In this context, by the goals stipulated in the aforementioned agreement and the UN Security Council resolution dated 1 December 2023 on Somalia's fight against terrorism, it is anticipated that, based on our holistic approach to Somalia's stability and prosperity, assistance will be provided to safeguard Somali economic resources, enabling effective utilisation of these resources. This will allow Somali defence and security forces to achieve a level sufficient to ensure and maintain national security. Through this cooperation, the safeguarding of Somalia's economic resources, the enhancement of stability and security in a region crucial for our foreign trade and maritime transport, and strengthening our friendship with Somalia will be achieved.
Furthermore, Turkiye's support for international efforts to combat terrorism, piracy, and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and adjacent areas, which jeopardise international peace and stability and negatively affect our national interests, will be reinforced."
The motion concludes with a request for authorisation for two years, under Article 92 of the Constitution, for the deployment of TSK units in the maritime jurisdiction areas to be jointly determined by both countries and in regions to be exclusively specified, in line with Presidential discretion regarding boundaries, scope, quantity, and duration. This deployment will support activities aimed at ensuring the security of Somalia against terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, various forms of smuggling, and other threats by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2713 (2023) and international legal obligations, including cooperation with third countries and international organisations as necessary.
