Turkey denies sending 15,000 troops to Somalia

Ankara (Caasimada Online) – The Turkish government officially denied on Thursday reports that it would send 15,000 soldiers to Somalia, as Uganda began to withdraw its troops from the country.

The denial from Ankara came after some Somali media reported last week that the federal government had requested additional troops from its allies to strengthen the fight against the Al-Shabaab group linked to Al-Qaeda.

Those reports indicated that units of the Turkish forces would arrive in Somalia before January, as part of the defense agreement between the two countries.

“Claims that Turkey will send 15,000 soldiers to Somalia, following a request from the Somali government, are not accurate,” said the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

The ministry issued this statement following its weekly briefing led by its spokesperson, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk.

It added that the Turkish operational forces and its air unit in Somalia would continue to train and advise Somali forces, and provide military support in the fight against armed groups.

The denial of the reports regarding the 15,000 soldiers comes at a time when high-level meetings are taking place between officials from both countries.

The Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Ferhat Alkan, met on Tuesday in Mogadishu with the National Security Advisor, Aweys Xaaji Yuusuf Axmed. The two officials discussed the fight against Al-Shabaab. The office of the security advisor stated that Aweys called for "continuing coordination to strengthen the stability of Somalia."

Alkan also met with the Minister of Defense, Axmed Macallin Fiqi, where they discussed regional security and how to further strengthen the security forces, as reported by the government news agency SONNA.

The Withdrawal of Ugandan Troops

The Turkish news emerged as Uganda began the withdrawal of troops that had been in Somalia under a special agreement with the federal government. This move has raised new questions about who will take over the bases vacated by foreign troops.

The Ugandan military announced on November 2 that the first soldiers returning to their country had been operating in Somalia under a bilateral agreement between Kampala and Mogadishu.

It also stated that all Ugandan troops will be gradually withdrawn from Somalia by the end of 2027, including those part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Uganda sent its first peacekeeping troops to Somalia in 2007. Approximately 4,500 Ugandan soldiers are currently part of the African Union mission, as Reuters reported last week citing government media.

Cali Cumar Balcad, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, told Reuters that an immediate withdrawal could lead to problems.

“It could create problems if their forces withdraw unexpectedly,” he said.

Concerns are growing as AUSSOM plans to relocate peacekeeping troops from the port city of Baraawe to four bases in Lower Shabelle during the troop reshuffle this month.

A letter obtained by the AP news agency stated that the African Union mission described those bases as crucial for the defense of Mogadishu.

Two of the bases, Bariire and Awdheegle, are located in areas that cross the Shabelle River. Al-Shabaab captured both towns in March 2025, but Somali and Ugandan forces regained control by the end of that year.

The commander of the national army visited Baraawe last week, instructing the troops to remain vigilant against attacks from Al-Shabaab, according to state media.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to hold a closed-door meeting on the situation of the mission on November 17. The council has approved that up to 11,826 soldiers and police could be part of AUSSOM until December 31.

The African Union mission relies on a special office of the United Nations for supplies and transport. Somalia Today reported in September that Washington was ready to support a plan to end the support of that office within 12 months.

Training and Maritime Support

Turkey has a long-standing military presence in Somalia. The TURKSOM training center was opened by Ankara in Mogadishu in 2017, where Somali officers and soldiers, including the Gorgor commando forces, are trained.

The 22nd Gorgor Brigade recently completed high-level training in Turkey, as reported by SONNA on Saturday. It became the second brigade of the Somali army to undergo a comprehensive training program in a brigade format.

Turkey and Somalia signed a defense and economic agreement in 2024 that will last for 10 years, which obligates Ankara to assist in the construction, training, and equipping of the Somali naval forces.

The Turkish Parliament extended the authorization for military operations in Somalia until July 2028 in July. This authorization covers operations conducted in areas agreed upon by both governments, including the waters of Somalia, while the number of troops and the timing of their deployment were left to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated last week that two frigate-type warships were dispatched to Somalia on October 30 to deliver supplies and replace some of the operational personnel.

The ministry's statement indicates that Ankara's refusal specifically pertains to the claim that 15,000 soldiers are being sent, but Turkey will continue its training, advisory, and military support to Somalia.