On Thursday, the Turkish National Defense Ministry refuted reports claiming that the S-400 air defense system from Russia had been brought to Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The Ministry stated that there are no plans to use the weapons outside of Turkey. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry confirmed that the S-400 air defense system remains under the full control of Turkey and that the Turkish defense forces are prepared to operate it within the country. Officials urged the community and media not to believe baseless information that is being circulated. The Ministry emphasized that the air defense system is solely for the defense of Turkey and will not be used in any other country. While these reports have been refuted, the Ministry also confirmed that Turkey and Somalia are engaged in defense cooperation under bilateral agreements, which include providing training to the Somali National Army (SNA) and enhancing its capabilities in combating terrorism, protecting Somalia’s natural resources and strategic locations. In recent years, Turkey has significantly increased its involvement in the security and defense of Somalia, particularly in rebuilding the capacity of the Somali army and stabilizing the Horn of Africa.
