Turkey to help Somalia defend coastline, rebuild naval forces amid rising tensions in Somalia

Somalia’s cabinet and lawmakers on 21 February backed a major defense deal with Turkey, citing sovereignty concerns. This defense agreement has come amid the dispute over the maritime agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that under the 10-year agreement, close ally Turkey would help defend Somalia’s long coastline. Mohammed said the agreement would also see Turkey rebuild the fragile Horn of Africa nation’s naval forces.