A Turkish Air Force A400M Atlas military transport aircraft landed in Mogadishu, Somalia, yesterday after departing from Konya, Turkey.
This marks the seventh Turkish and Qatari military cargo flight to Somalia in just one week, signalling intensified regional military cooperation.
According to Middle East Eye, Ankara has delivered three T129 Atak attack helicopters to the Somali government as part of a growing defence partnership.
Additionally, two utility helicopters were handed over to the Somali Navy, bolstering the country’s maritime security capabilities.
The transfer followed a recent phone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
This surge in Turkish military support underscores Ankara’s strategic pivot towards the Horn of Africa amid regional power rivalries.
Somalia, long marred by instability and extremism, views Turkey as a critical ally in rebuilding its national defence infrastructure.
Turkey’s military presence and humanitarian footprint in Somalia have expanded steadily over the past decade, anchored by the Turkish military base in Mogadishu.
Qatar’s involvement through coordinated cargo flights further highlights the geopolitical alliance shaping around Somalia’s future security.
Analysts interpret this move as a direct message to competing regional players, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.
The timing of these deliveries suggests a calculated effort to strengthen Somalia’s defence ahead of any potential external threats.
As regional dynamics shift, Turkey appears determined to cement its role as a key military and diplomatic actor in East Africa.