Türkiye has signed a defence agreement with Somalia.
The pact commits Türkiye to defend Somali waters in the Indian Ocean and help rebuild its Horn of Africa ally’s navy.
The deal came amid rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
In early January, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland allowing Addis Ababa to set up a naval base in the Gulf of Aden.
In exchange, Ethiopia said it would recognize Somaliland’s independence.
Somalia, which counts Somaliland as part of its internationally recognized territory, condemned the agreement, saying it was an unacceptable violation of its sovereignty.
The European and African Unions, the Arab League and Egypt as well as the US and Türkiye have all called for Somalia’s sovereignty to be respected.
