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Somalia

February 17, 2026

Mogadishu 12:17 am

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not pictured) addresses the media during a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex, Ankara, Turkey, Feb. 11, 2026.

Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Ethiopia amid tensions over Horn of Africa

The Turkish leader is expected to raise Ankara’s concerns over Somalia’s territorial integrity while discussing ways to deepen bilateral ties with Addis Ababa.

HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey declares Somalia unity a priority after Israel's Somaliland recognition

Ankara has designated Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a national security priority in its latest expression of support.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, meet on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX2026), Jan. 20, 2026.

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact after Mogadishu scraps UAE deals: What to know

Somalia and Qatar signed a defense cooperation agreement in Doha on Monday to strengthen bilateral military ties and security collaboration, days after Mogadishu ended all its contracts with the United Arab Emirates.

ED RAM/AFP via Getty Images

Somalia cancels UAE agreements amid Yemen, Somaliland divide: What to know

The Somali government said that the decision was a response to "reports and strong evidence of illegal measures to harm the sovereignty" of Somalia.

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Analysis

Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks

Somalis celebrate the victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won the presidential run-off election during the celebration organized by the government in Mogadishu, on May 29, 2023.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa

Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Somali security forces personnel and police secure the area at the scene of a car bomb explosion in Mogadishu, Somalia on May 9, 2016. Islamic jihadists killed three police officers in a bomb and gun attack on a police station in the Somali capital, city authorities said. / AFP / MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB (Photo credit should read MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Drones and diplomacy: Can Turkey help Somalia fight Al-Shabab?

Experts think Turkey should do more to address Somalia’s deep-seated clan divisions and foster political alliances, in addition to providing it military support.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US military aircraft as seen at US Military Camp Lemonnier on Jan. 21, 2024, in Djibouti.

Analysis

Trump tries hard power in Horn of Africa as Turkey, UAE expand influence

The Trump administration is intensifying military operations and cutting aid in the Horn of Africa, while Turkey and the UAE expand their influence, creating both cooperation and competition with US objectives in the region.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 23, 2023.

Somalia sacks defense minister, close friend of Turkey: What to know

Somalia’s prime minister announced a major overhaul of a slew of cabinet positions, including that of the country’s defense minister who has spearheaded closer ties with Turkey.

TOPSHOT - A Palestinian boy picks flowers close to the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

US, Israel looking to resettle Gaza's Palestinians in Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan: Report

Israeli and American officials have been in contact with Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland for the possible resettling of Gazans there, the Associated Press reported.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (L) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) during Ahmed's visit to Mogadishu, Feb. 27, 2025.

Ethiopia’s PM in Somalia after deal to end Somaliland row: What to know

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit is the first since Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to end their dispute over a controversial agreement signed last year by Ethiopia and Somaliland.

erdogan somalia

Analysis

Turkey’s space ambitions soar with Somalia site but limitations continue

Building the space base is a good development, but to reach its goals, Turkey needs to allocate more financial and human resources to realize a full-fledged space program.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, on Dec. 11.

Turkey says Ethiopia, Somalia reach deal to end Somaliland dispute

The Turkish-mediated progress came as the three countries' leaders met in Ankara.

Waddani Party presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, (C) casts his vote at a polling station.

Opposition wins election in Somaliland, signals dialogue with Somalia: What we know

Somaliland's opposition leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has won the presidential election, unseating the incumbent president who held office for seven years.

President-elect Donald Trump attends the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.

Analysis

From Sudan to Ethiopia, Trump’s 'America First' priorities could shift Horn of Africa policy

As the Horn of Africa region seemed to be overlooked by Washington’s foreign policy, questions about how President-elect Donald Trump will deal with the rising conflicts in the region arise.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Auto rickshaws (Tuk-Tuks) and a monument are seen through the window of an armoured car on Sept. 4, 2022 in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Somalia-Ethiopia rift intensifies: What's behind latest row?

The latest expulsion marks yet another step toward an eruption of tensions between the neighboring countries.

(R to L) Somali Ambassador to Ankara Fathudin Ali Mohamed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan bid farewell to the Oruc Reis departs from Istanbul.

Analysis

Turkey's hydrocarbon mission to Somalia extends its Africa influence

Turkey-Somalia ties enter a new phase as the Turkish research vessel RV Oruc Reis heads to Somali waters to prospect for oil and natural gas.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

AFP via Getty Images

Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea solidify regional alliance amid tensions with Ethiopia

The three countries have pledged to deepen cooperation and defend Somalia's sovereignty after their leaders met in Eritrea's capital.