Turkey Bolsters Somalia’s Counterterrorism Efforts with T129 ATAK Helicopters

Wednesday, June 5, 2025 –Turkey has significantly increased its military support to Somalia in the ongoing fight against the Al-Shabaab insurgency, following a high-level phone conversation last Saturday between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Middle East Eye, the Turkish government delivered three T129 ATAK helicopters to Somalia this week. The advanced attack helicopters are expected to enhance Somalia’s operational capabilities against Al-Shabaab and accelerate its counterterrorism campaign.

In addition to the T129s, Turkey also transferred two more helicopters to the Somali Navy as part of a broader bilateral defense agreement signed between the two countries in February 2024. The deal includes provisions for military training and the development of a capable and self-reliant Somali naval force.

Over the past year, Turkey has trained several Somali pilots specifically to operate the T129 ATAK helicopters. The recent deployment of the aircraft to Mogadishu follows the successful completion of advanced pilot training programs.

President Erdoğan reaffirmed his government’s long-term commitment to supporting Somalia in its fight against terrorism. A statement from the Turkish presidency confirmed that Ankara’s military assistance to Somalia will continue and expand in the coming months.

The strategic cooperation between Turkey and Somalia marks a significant step in regional security efforts and reflects Ankara’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa.

This indicates that Somalia will soon regain the influence in Africa. It once had on the African continent, as it was a country known for its military strength among African nations and for its historic role in the liberation of African countries from colonial powers.

Somali Freelancer. A Yusuf Mohamed