MOGADISHU–For the past few days, reports from Middle Shabelle province state that Al-shabab fighters stayed away from new military bases that Turkish soldiers had set up in the province. Units of Turkish troops were recently deployed to El-Bashaqle and Qorilow settlements that locate in the outskirts of Warsheikh district. Turkish military soldiers set up military barracks in the open land between the settlements, so as to provide support to the Somali National Army (SNA) in its fight against Al-shabab. These soldiers are protected from the air by Turkish unmanned aerial drones. Al-Shabab felt the presence of Turkish military troops in the east of Middle Shabelle province poses a threat to their security, and that is the one reason which is pushing them to stay away from areas where Turkish troops are based. On January 26, Turkish troops participated in a large-scale offensive that took place in Jabad Godane settlement which is not far from Qorilow settlement. Somalia’s defense minister, Mr. Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi, announced that 50 Al-Shabab fighters were killed in the assault. Sources disclose that Turkish military officers in Qorilow and El-Bashaqle brought there many combat vehicles including armored tanks that arrived in Mogadishu port this month. Locals confirmed that the Somali Federal Government sealed a large area near where the Turkish troops have set up the military barracks. It appears that Turkey is strengthening its presence in Somalia. Prior to this year, Turkish officers have been supporting the Somali National Army (SNA) by carrying out airstrikes against heavily armed Al-Shabab fighters, but it seems now they are involved in ground assaults, combating Al-Shabab. For the past ten years, Turkey took part the rebuilding of Somalia’s armed forces and promoting its quality. This year, it has intensified its role in the security in Somalia. Previously Turkish role was only to provide training to Somali security personnel’s, but it is now actively involved by assisting Somalia in terms of its security in the land and air. Last week, Turkish military plane delivered at Adden Adde International Airport an Air Defense System. On January, Ankara brought to Mogadishu three Turkish F-16 Fighter jets in order to join the ongoing offensive and operations combating Al-Shabab, and be part of the ongoing efforts to maintain security in terms of land and air. These fighter jets will be used for plans in which the two countries are willing to strengthen the capability of the SNA. The Somali defense minister claimed that these F-16 fighter jets belonged to the Somali Air Force but later retracted that claim. The defense cooperation between the two countries has reached the highest level and this came after potential agreement was signed between Ankara and Mogadishu for the past three years.
