Turkish F-16 Vipers Seen Operating Out of Mogadishu’s International Airport
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The Turkish Air Force's F-16 Vipers have been spotted flying over Somalia in new online videos, as Turkey seeks to expand its presence in the troubled nation where the al-Shabab extremist group is causing chaos. One video captures a Turkish F-16 taking off from Mogadishu's international airport, with afterburners ignited. F-16 fighter jets are currently conducting test flights over Mogadishu, having arrived in Somalia on Wednesday, indicating Turkey's growing support for the country. This deployment marks the first time Turkey has forward-deployed manned combat aircraft into Somalia, expanding its role beyond drones, transport aviation, and advisory support.
Turkish engineers have been working at the airport for several days to prepare the site for the arrival of the jets, according to the Middle East Eye. The F-16s are intended to step up strikes on al-Shabaab militants and protect Turkey's growing interests in the Horn of Africa country, according to Bloomberg News. The move is also meant to bolster Turkish drone operations against the Islamist group, which is linked to al-Qaeda and has been waging an insurgency against the government in Mogadishu for two decades.
Somalia is strategically located, with a long Gulf of Aden coastline across from Yemen and another coastline along the Arabian Sea section of the Indian Ocean. Turkey has a growing interest in the country's energy industry and wants to increase trade overall. Additionally, Somalia has vast untapped mineral wealth, holding significant potential in critical minerals such as aluminium, copper, iron, rare earth elements, and titanium, which are vital for clean energy technologies.
The deployment of F-16s comes as al-Shabab has been resurgent across Somalia, prompting the Trump administration to carry out an increasing number of airstrikes against the group. There may also be another motivating factor for Turkey's deployment: Israel, its regional rival, has recently recognized the Republic of Somaliland, a northeastern part of Somalia that has claimed independence for decades. Turkey and Israel have long jostled for influence in the Middle East, and this competition appears to have spread to the Horn of Africa, where Turkey continues to expand its footprint.
The Turkish government is increasing its training and support activities in Somalia, aimed at strengthening the country's security and stability. Turkey has also established new military facilities in Somalia, including the Somali Air Command and the TURKSOM training camp in Mogadishu. Turkey entered Somalia in 2011, helping to build the Somali National Army (SNA) by providing training, vehicles, equipment, and financial support.
It is unknown how long the Turkish F-16s will stay in Somalia, but it appears that Turkey is planning to maintain a military presence in this war-torn country for quite some time.
