Turkey's Horn of Africa diplomatic and military push

In mid‑July 2026 Turkey began expanding its diplomatic, military and economic footprint in the Horn of Africa to counter Israel’s outreach toward Somaliland. Ankara rallied regional partners—including Egypt, Djibouti and Somalia—to form an alliance that rejected Israeli attempts to recognize Somaliland’s independence, while also deploying defence‑industry assets, unmanned aerial systems and humanitarian aid, and negotiating maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Within the following week, escalating tensions in the Red Sea – highlighted by a Houthi naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers – prompted Turkey to condemn the Houthi threat and reaffirm support for Saudi freedom of navigation. The Turkish parliament approved a two‑year extension of its military mission in Somalia, further solidifying Ankara’s presence and aiming to protect regional stability and Turkish economic interests linked to Red Sea trade routes.