Turkey expands Horn of Africa presence amid Red Sea crisis

Escalating tensions in the Red Sea, highlighted by the Houthi movement’s announcement of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and increased missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers, have heightened concerns over a key global maritime trade route. In response, Turkey condemned the Houthi threat, reaffirmed support for Saudi Arabia’s freedom of navigation, and emphasized the importance of secure shipping through the Bab al‑Mandab Strait.

The Turkish parliament approved a two‑year extension of its military mission in Somalia, strengthening Ankara’s foothold in the Horn of Africa. The deployment, part of Turkey’s broader strategy to deepen diplomatic, military and economic ties across eastern Africa, aims to protect regional stability and safeguard Turkey’s own economic interests linked to Red Sea trade.