The Ottoman Occupation of Somalia

Turkey’s establishment of a military base in Somalia has raised many questions about the limits of the Turkish role in Africa in general and in Somalia in particular, the Somali position and its impact on the national interests of other international and regional powers. The base, which foundations were laid in March 2015 occupy 400 hectares and house three military schools, dormitories and depots, over an area of 400 acres, at a cost of $50 million.  

Erdogan's has desired to promote his image as a leader of the Islamic world starting from Somalia, by contributing to the settlement of the political conflict there, restoring security and providing humanitarian relief. Turkey found favorable conditions for achieving its goal while Arab States were busy putting their house in order in the aftermath of the Arab Spring revolutions.

Ankara decided to engage actively in conflict settlement and reunification of Somalia, through sponsoring talks between the government in Mogadishu, the authorities in Somaliland and regional administrations in Puntland Jubaland and others. Nevertheless, the real purpose of establishing the Turkish military base in Somalia goes far beyond the scope of protecting its economic interests in Africa. 

security was never absent in any Turkish initiative in

Somalia because the Somalia’s strategic location

security was never absent in any Turkish initiative in

Somalia because the Somalia’s strategic location

security was never absent in any Turkish initiative in

Somalia because the Somalia’s strategic location

Turkeys quest to establish a military base in Somalia reveals new tools in the Turkish foreign policy towards Africa: using the elements of hard power, after managing to achieve several breakthroughs in Africa by using the elements of soft power. This raises questions about the reasons and the timing of this shift and its possible replication in other African countries.