Somalilandsun: A motion for the extension of Turkish forces deployment in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, and the Arabian Sea was published in the country’s official gazette on Thursday.
The motion, which was approved by the Turkish parliament on Tuesday, extends the deployment for one more year as of Feb. 10, 2021. Turkey decided to send Turkish forces to the region in 2008 and extended the deployment for 13 times.
“By deploying the naval elements of the Turkish armed forces, effective protection of Turkish flagged vessels and commercial vessels linked to Turkey sailing in the region and active participation in joint struggle operations against piracy, armed robbery acts, and terrorism at sea was ensured,” the motion said.
The deployment ensures support for the national policy of the continuation of cooperation with the relevant countries in this field and the reinforcing of the role and visibility that the Turkish armed forces play in the system of the UN on a regional and global scale, it added.
The Gulf of Aden is a strategic chokepoint of global importance near the Bab el-Mandab Strait, which is a vital route for oil and natural gas shipments passing from the Gulf to the Red Sea. The Arabian Sea and Somalia are adjacent to the strategic trade route. Enditem
