Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Yemeni Armed Forces: Drone operations successfully hit their targets.
Yemeni Armed Forces: We targeted the Hadera power station, al-Lydd Airport in Yafa, and Ashdod Port in occupied Palestine with three drones.
Yemeni Armed Forces: We targeted the Israeli enemy's General Staff building in occupied Yafa with a Samad 4 drone.
Yemeni Armed Forces: We targeted the MSC ABY vessel for violating the naval embargo.
Yemeni Armed Forces: We targeted the Israeli enemy's General Staff headquarters, al-Lydd Airport, the Hadera power station, and the Ashdod port.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Prisoners released from Israeli prisons arrive at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip.
Larijani: The enemy is demanding that we give up our missile capabilities.
Larijani: By raising issues such as missiles, the Americans do not want negotiations to take place.
Secretary of Iran's National Security Council Ali Larijani: We consider rational negotiation on the nuclear issue to be the path to a solution and settlement.
Gaza Health Ministry: 63,633 people have been martyred by Israeli aggression and 160,914 others have been wounded since October 7, 2023.

Turkey to supply Somalia’s military with combat helicopters: Bloomberg

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 6 Jun 2025 13:12
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Turkey will deliver T129 Atak helicopters to Somalia as part of a 10-year defense pact aimed at boosting security and countering al-Shabaab threats.

Listen
  • x
  • Turkey to supply Somalia’s military with combat helicopters: Bloomberg
    Turkish army helicopters prepare to fire on mock enemy positions during the army's annual Winter 2019 Exercises in a mountainous area near Kars, eastern Turkey, on February 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Turkey will deliver T129 Atak helicopters to Somalia’s navy under a 10-year defense pact signed earlier this year, according to sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported on Friday. The move is part of a broader initiative by Ankara to strengthen Somalia’s security forces and counter terrorism threats in the Horn of Africa.

According to the report, the helicopters will be used to combat the al-Shabaab group, one of the region’s most active extremist organizations. Additionally, the defense agreement includes provisions for training, equipping, and advising Somalia’s military.

The T129 Atak is a twin-engine, multi-role combat helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, designed primarily for reconnaissance and attack missions. As reported by Bloomberg, its deployment in Somalia marks a significant step in bolstering the country’s aerial capabilities.

According to Turkish defense officials, their support is aimed at maintaining security and stability in Somalia, adding that the cooperation also includes protective measures for Turkish units and economic projects in the region.

Defense pact includes training, equipment, and energy deals

Related News

Abdullah Ocalan says peace, democracy are 'strategy, historic step'

Xi, Erdogan pledge stronger Turkey-China partnership in trade, energy

In addition to the defense pact, Turkey and Somalia signed a hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement, allowing Turkish Petroleum Corp. to operate in Somali waters, adding that this underscores the deepening economic and security ties between the two nations.

It is worth mentioning that over the past decade, Turkey has steadily increased its presence in Africa through military cooperation, infrastructure development, and diplomatic initiatives.

According to Bloomberg, Ankara has played a key role in mediating between Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia and has attempted to facilitate dialogue between the Somali government and Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region.

The Turkey–Somalia defense pact further consolidates Ankara’s growing influence in East Africa, aligning security interests with long-term economic partnerships.

Earlier in April, Turkish ground troops arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, marking Turkey’s first military deployment to the East African nation. The contingent, comprising 500 soldiers, landed on Tuesday aboard two military aircraft.

The troops were set to be deployed in the Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions, areas that had witnessed renewed attacks by the al-Shabab militant group a few weeks prior. 

According to reports, al-Shabab has seized large swathes of territory in both regions and continues to push toward Mogadishu. The group's territorial gains have raised concerns about the security of the capital and the broader stability of the country.

Sources cited by the Ethiopian Observer indicated that the total number of Turkish troops expected to participate in this military operation was set to reach approximately 5,000 soldiers.

  • Turkey
  • Al-Shabaab
  • Somalia
  • T129 Atak helicopters

Most Read

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in Gaza Strip

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City

  • Politics
  • 30 Aug 2025
A Supporter of Hezbollah holds up a portrait of Hezbollah late leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah with Arabic words reading: "We will stay with you," during a rally marking Al-Quds day, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, April 5, 2024 (AP)

Illusioned are those who think Hezbollah is weakened: Israeli colonel

  • Politics
  • 29 Aug 2025
Members of the Iranian Parliament participate in a vote of confidence, in the cabinet of President Ebrahim Raisi, at the Islamic Consultative Assembly in Tehran, Iran August 25, 2021. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA)

Iran’s parliament submits emergency bill to withdraw from NPT

  • Politics
  • 29 Aug 2025
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced a new operation targeting Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, August 27, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen attacks al-Lydd airport in Yafa using ballistic missile

  • Politics
  • 27 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Trump pushes Chicago deployment, denies health rumors, eyes Venezuela

This Jan. 31, 2019 file photo, shows an oil platform in the Leviathan natural gas field, in the Mediterranean Sea off the Palestinian coast. (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu freezes $35B gas deal with Egypt over troops in Sinai

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesperson of the Yemeni Armed Forces, announces 5 military operation in support of Gaza, September 2, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

YAF strike Israeli key sites, ship in Red Sea in support of Gaza

Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, speaks during a press conference after his meeting with the Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Path to negotiations with US not closed: Iran's Larijani

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS