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Turkey deploys advanced Akinci drones to boost Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab
Mogadishu (HOL) – Turkey has deployed advanced Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Somalia, delivering on a long-anticipated military commitment to enhance the country's counterterrorism operations.
Tuesday March 18, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Turkey has deployed advanced Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Somalia, delivering on a long-anticipated military commitment to enhance the country's counterterrorism operations.
The Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday morning as part of Turkey's ongoing military assistance to Somalia. These drones are expected to enhance the Somali National Army's (SNA) operational capabilities in targeting Al-Shabaab. Compared to the previously deployed Bayraktar TB2 drones, the Akinci boasts greater endurance, advanced surveillance systems, and the ability to conduct long-range precision strikes. It has a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms, allowing it to carry an array of munitions, including SOM cruise missiles, Gökdoğan air-to-air missiles, Bozok guided bombs, and MK-82 bombs.
Somalia's outgoing Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, hailed the deployment as "unprecedented military aid," emphasizing Turkey's unwavering commitment to supporting Somalia's security efforts. The drones are expected to enhance the SNA's ability to conduct precision airstrikes and disrupt militant operations, a critical development in the country's ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab.
Turkey has been a key ally of Somalia in recent years, providing military training, infrastructure support, and defence equipment to strengthen the country's security forces. The deployment of the Akinci drones marks a significant step in deepening this military partnership while reinforcing Turkey's strategic influence in the Horn of Africa.
Analysts say the addition of these advanced UCAVs will not only improve the effectiveness of Somali military operations but also contribute to the broader goal of stabilizing the country by curbing Al-Shabaab's territorial ambitions.
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