Somalia welcomes Turkish naval vessels as offshore oil exploration nears start
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s deputy defense minister, Omar Abdi Ali, alongside the Somali National Army chief, on Tuesday formally welcomed Turkish naval vessels to Mogadishu, officials said, marking a visible step in the country’s effort to strengthen maritime security as offshore oil exploration moves closer to execution.
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Port officials said one of the ships is an oil exploration and drilling vessel, accompanied by a security support ship. The vessels were dispatched from Turkey earlier this year under a bilateral agreement with Ankara that covers offshore oil survey and drilling operations.
The welcoming ceremony drew senior Somali and Turkish officials, including Somalia’s deputy minister of ports and maritime transport, the commander of the Navy and Coastal Defense, the Somali National Army’s deputy chief of staff, and Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia, as well as other military officials.
The arrivals come as the federal government in Mogadishu prioritizes building, equipping and modernizing its naval forces to better secure Somalia’s territorial waters and protect natural resources. Security has been significantly reinforced along the coast, particularly in areas that underwent preliminary seismic surveys in 2024, according to officials.
Turkey has deployed both manned and unmanned military aircraft to monitor and protect the vessels and survey sites, part of a broader security envelope around the maritime operations. The enhanced patrols underscore the sensitivity of the exploration phase and the strategic importance both governments have attached to safeguarding offshore activities.
Somalia and Turkey had initially targeted late 2025 to begin offshore drilling, but the start date was pushed to early 2026. With Turkish ships now docked in Mogadishu, drilling operations are expected to begin in the near future, officials said.
The expanded cooperation highlights the deepening security and economic partnership between Somalia and Turkey, with maritime security and resource development at its core. For Somalia, the naval buildup is aimed at deterring threats across a vast coastline and ensuring future offshore operations proceed without disruption. For Turkey, the deployment reflects a continued investment in a strategically located Horn of Africa partner.
- What arrived: An oil exploration and drilling ship, plus a security support vessel dispatched from Turkey under a bilateral oil survey and drilling agreement.
- Security measures: Reinforced coastal security, with Turkish manned and unmanned aircraft monitoring vessels and survey sites.
- Timeline: Offshore drilling was delayed from late 2025 to early 2026; with vessels now in Mogadishu, operations are expected to start soon.
Officials did not disclose a precise start date for drilling, but the deployment of assets to Mogadishu port signals an operational ramp-up following last year’s seismic work. The emphasis on security suggests authorities expect a complex operating environment and are coordinating closely to maintain the safety of crews, ships and coastal communities as exploration advances.
Tuesday’s port ceremony also served as a demonstration of Somali naval modernization efforts, which remain a priority for the federal government as it looks to secure offshore infrastructure and protect potential oil and gas reserves. The latest Turkish arrivals, paired with expanded aerial surveillance, are intended to provide layered protection during the upcoming exploration and drilling phases.
Further details on the drilling schedule and specific offshore blocks were not immediately available. Authorities said additional announcements will follow as preparations progress.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
