Somalia-Turkey Maritime Security Deal to Deter Regional Access Threats

The Somali government has approved a defense and economic cooperation agreement with Turkey, allowing Ankara to build, train, and equip the Somali navy and defend its territorial waters. The deal, described as "historic" by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, aims to address concerns such as terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, and external threats. The agreement reportedly authorizes the Turkish navy to defend Somali sea waters for the next 10 years, with Turkey also set to receive 30% of the revenue from Somalia's exclusive economic zone. This move comes amid tensions with Ethiopia, which recently signed a naval and commercial access agreement with Somaliland, a move strongly condemned by Somalia and backed by Turkey.