News: Two Turkish warships heading to Somalia + Purpose

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – Two Turkish warships have moved and are heading towards Mogadishu to protect the fishing vessel Mustafa Korkmaz A. That ship, which is also owned by Turkey, is expected to conduct reconnaissance and trial fishing in the exclusive economic zone of Somalia (EEZ).

The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated on Wednesday that the vessels TCG Gökçeada and TCG Yıldırım have been assigned to escort the ship. They added that their journey is part of the operational transition of the Turkish naval unit operating in Somalia.

Somalia and Turkey signed a cooperation agreement on defense and economic matters in Ankara on February 8, 2024. The ten-year agreement stipulates that Turkey will assist in the construction, training, and equipping of the Somali navy.

Protecting the waters over which Somalia has legal authority and combating piracy and illegal fishing are among the objectives of the agreement. It is also aimed at enabling Somalia to economically benefit from its marine resources.

The Turkish Parliament approved on July 21, 2026, an extension of two years for the authorization under which Turkish forces operate in Somalia.

The extension, which took effect on July 27, pertains to the areas jointly designated by the two countries, including the waters over which Somalia has legal authority. The document submitted to the parliament included the protection of Somalia's economic resources among the objectives of the operation.

Fishing Licenses

The Turkish agency OYAK and the National Fishing Company of Somalia established the company SOMTURK in the country on December 11, 2025.

The company assists the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Somalia in the process of granting licenses to foreign vessels wishing to fish in the exclusive economic zone, as stated in an agreement OYAK signed with the ministry.

OYAK announced in March that the ministry had granted the first license under that system to Ergun Reis A, which is a vessel flying the Turkish flag.

The Somalia Fishing Law of 2023 stipulates that experimental fishing requires a license or permission. The law defines this type of fishing as a research activity aimed at discovering previously unknown or underutilized fish stocks.

Fishing up to 24 nautical miles is reserved for Somali citizens and their vessels that meet the requirements. This distance is measured from the baseline of the maritime boundary of Somalia. The law also prohibits the use of trawl fishing nets in the waters of Somalia.