What Turkey’s F-16 fighter jets are really doing in Somalia?
Somali government officials said that the fighter jets, accompanied by two military helicopters, are intended to support ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab across southern and central regions of the country.
Three Turkish F-16 fighter jets landed in Mogadishu on Wednesday, signaling a significant expansion of Ankara’s military support for Somalia in its fight against the militant group Al-Shabaab.
Somali government officials said that the fighter jets, accompanied by two military helicopters, are intended to support ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab across southern and central regions of the country.
The deployment underscores Turkey’s deepening role in Somalia’s security landscape, moving beyond training and logistics into direct operational support.
The arrival of the F-16s follows Turkey’s first confirmed participation in ground combat against Al-Shabaab earlier this week, marking a major shift in Ankara’s engagement strategy.
Turkish ground forces joined the Somali National Army (SNA) in a coordinated offensive that captured the Jabad-Godane area in the Middle Shabelle region — a zone of strategic importance located near a future Turkish satellite launch facility currently under construction.
The operation began around midnight on Sunday, when SNA units launched sustained artillery bombardments on Al-Shabaab positions in Jabad-Godane, approximately 20 kilometers from the Qorilow military base.
The shelling continued through Monday morning and into midday, weakening militant defenses ahead of a ground assault.
At midday, Somali forces advanced into the area alongside Turkish ground troops and military officers recently stationed at the Qorilow base.
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Local sources said the three-hour battle was spearheaded by elite Gorgor special forces, with Turkish troops providing support using armored vehicles and advanced weapon systems.
This engagement represents Ankara’s first confirmed direct ground combat role against Al-Shabaab since Turkey began its military partnership with Somalia over a decade ago.
By late afternoon, government forces had secured Jabad-Godane and surrounding areas, forcing Al-Shabaab fighters to retreat toward Hawadley, a long-standing militant stronghold in the region.
Casualties were reported on both sides, though exact figures have not been independently verified.
Security officials say Turkish forces are now working to establish a wide security perimeter around the satellite launch facility, which Ankara considers a strategic asset.
Recent arrivals of Turkish military cargo aircraft in Mogadishu have been linked to troop deployments, construction materials, and enhanced security measures around the site.
Turkey already maintains its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, where it provides training, equipment, and logistical support to Somali forces.
The deployment of fighter jets and direct combat involvement marks a new phase in Ankara’s commitment to Somalia’s counter-terrorism campaign.
Somali officials view the expanded Turkish role as a force multiplier in the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab, as the government seeks to reclaim territory and secure critical infrastructure across the country.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.