Turkey has reportedly accelerated the construction of a military base in the Lasqoray district of Somalia’s Sanaag region, amid growing regional tensions following Israel’s move to establish a military presence in Somaliland, according to Turkish media outlet TRHaber.
The report says Ankara views recent geopolitical developments in the Horn of Africa as having direct implications for regional security and its own strategic interests, prompting it to reinforce its military footprint in Somalia, particularly in the country’s northeastern areas. Lasqoray, which falls under the administration of Puntland, is said to have been selected due to its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden.
According to TRHaber, the construction of the base is being carried out with the consent and cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia, underscoring the deepening security and defense ties between Mogadishu and Ankara. Turkey has long been one of Somalia’s closest military partners, providing training, equipment, and advisory support to Somali security forces as part of efforts to stabilize the country and combat militant groups.
Although neither the Federal Government of Somalia nor the Puntland administration has issued an official statement detailing the status or scope of the project, the reported acceleration of construction comes at a time when the Horn of Africa is experiencing heightened geopolitical competition and shifting security dynamics involving regional and external powers.
Analysts say Turkey’s move reflects its broader strategy to maintain influence in key maritime corridors and counter any developments that could alter the security balance in Somalia and the wider region. Ankara already operates Camp TURKSOM in Mogadishu, its largest overseas military training facility, and has played a central role in rebuilding Somalia’s armed forces over the past decade.
The TRHaber report adds that Turkey aims to strengthen its role as a stabilizing actor in the Horn of Africa, while ensuring that Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain intact amid growing foreign interest in the region.