Sunday July 28, 2024
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler (R) and Minister of Defense of Somalia Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (L) hold a press conference after the signing ceremony of Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between two countries in Ankara, Turkiye on February 08, 2024 [Turkish National Defense Ministry/Anadolu Agency]
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has lauded the Turkish parliament's recent approval of a Presidential motion to extend Turkey's military presence in Somalia for two more years.
In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Minister Nur described the approval as a "crucial milestone" under the Türkiye-Somalia defence cooperation agreement.
"In the efforts to enhance maritime security, Türkiye and Somalia are not only working towards stabilizing the waters of the Somali coast but also fostering a partnership that underscores their commitment to regional peace and security and bolsters efforts in combating terrorism, piracy, illicit weapons trafficking and other threats," he added.
The minister underlined that the effort signifies a mutual commitment between Somalia and Türkiye to addressing challenges and fostering a safer, more prosperous future for Somalia and the region.
The motion, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Türkiye has been providing training, assistance and advisory support in Somalia for over ten years to ensure security and stability and to help restructure that country's defence and security forces to combat terrorism.
The motion highlights that since 2009, the Turkish army has been actively supporting international efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery and maritime terrorism in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia (excluding Somali territorial waters), the Arabian Sea and adjacent regions.
The support is based on the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the UN Security Council resolution of Dec.16, 2008.