Al-Shabaab 'rejects' Somalia’s defense deal with Turkey

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group has rejected the defense deal signed between Somalia and Turkey, which had been lauded by various stakeholders in the country as a 'game changer' in the Horn of Africa nation's security arrangements.

Turkey agreed to train and equip the Somali Navy Force, who will in return safeguard the 3,333 kilometers of coastline, which is rich in minerals and natural resources. The forces will be trained immediately to counter threats such as terrorism and piracy, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.

The agreement comes moments after Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland signed a similar deal with Ethiopia, leading to outrage in the Horn of Africa, with Somalia accusing Ethiopia of annexation of its territory.

In a statement, al-Shabaab said the deal between Somalia and Turkey is “unlawful” and “represents another instance of Turkey’s Machiavellian and hegemonic ambitions in the region.” The group had rejected the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland as well.

Al-Shabaab over the years carried out some attacks against Turkish citizens working in Somalia and targeted the Turkish embassy because of Ankara’s strong military support to Somalia. For over 10 years, Ankara has been a key supporter of Somalia’s development agenda.

In addition to training Somali forces, Turkish-provided drones have been giving air support to Somali forces during military operations against al-Shabaab. Turkey trains the elite GorGor troops who are critical in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

The al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has struggled with instability for the last three decades. The deal between Ankara and Mogadishu has been lauded as 'monumental'.

GAROWE ONLINE