MOGADISHU, Somalia – A high-level Turkish delegation, comprising defense and petroleum experts, received a warm welcome upon their arrival on Thursday in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum, Abdirizak Mohamed, and State Minister for Defense, Omar Ali, greeted the delegation under tight security. They are scheduled to attend the official reception of Türkiye’s advanced seismic survey vessel, Oruç Reis.
The Oruç Reis, symbolizing Turkey’s expanding maritime capabilities, is headed to Somali territorial waters to explore potential oil and gas reserves along the coast. This marks a significant step toward energy independence for the war-ravaged nation.
The vessel will conduct the first 3D seismic surveys across three licensed maritime zones, each covering 5,000 km². It will operate in Somalia under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministries of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye and Somalia.
Both Somalia and Turkey expressed optimism about their cooperation, emphasizing the mutual benefits of sharing technology and expertise. Somali leaders view the exploration as a potential economic catalyst, anticipating job creation, infrastructure growth, and enhanced foreign investment.
As the Oruç Reis approaches Somalia, energy experts note that this underscores the growing partnership between the two nations, particularly in the energy sector, with a focus on utilizing Somalia’s oil and gas reserves.
Earlier this month, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the Oruç Reis, which has been serving Türkiye since 2017, will now undertake seismic activities in three licensed areas off Somalia’s coast. Highlighting Somalia’s history of conflict and instability, Erdoğan expressed hope that the nation will soon be associated with economic development, prosperity, and peace as a result of the Oruç Reis’s discoveries.
“I am confident that, God willing, we will receive positive news from our seismic research activities off the coast of Somalia,” he added, reflecting his hopes for transformative outcomes from this mission.
In recent years, Türkiye and Somalia have forged a dynamic partnership, making significant advancements in energy, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid. Türkiye began its engagement in Somalia in 2011 during a severe drought, providing essential humanitarian assistance that set the stage for enduring collaboration.
Currently, Türkiye operates the largest military training camp in Somalia, dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of the Somali armed forces and bolstering national security. Türkiye also provides aerial support during operations against Al Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, and regularly airlifts critically injured victims after attacks in Mogadishu and other regions.
This unwavering commitment addresses Somalia’s immediate needs while underscoring Türkiye’s investment in the country’s long-term development through substantial contributions to education, healthcare, and infrastructure initiatives.
