Regional security dynamics in the Horn of Africa reached a pivotal turning point on February 11, 2026, as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joined Egyptian military leaders in Cairo to witness a formal deployment parade. The ceremony marked the official assignment of the Egyptian Armed Forces to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This mission serves as the successor to previous African Union initiatives, specifically the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Transition Mission (ATMIS), with a renewed focus on maintaining the territorial integrity of the Somali state.
The deployment ceremony featured Egyptian Commander-in-Chief and outgoing Defence Minister General Abdel-Magid Saqr, alongside Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa. During the event, Egyptian officials delivered a comprehensive briefing on the operational readiness of the participating units. These forces have undergone specialised training programs to prepare for the unique requirements of the Somali theatre, where they will support Mogadishu’s efforts to extend national control and combat Al-Shabab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group that has conducted bombings and assassinations for over a decade.
It all started in September 2024, when Egypt delivered its first military aid to Somalia in over four decades, according to diplomatic and Somali government sources. This move is expected to escalate tensions between Egypt, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Egypt and Somalia have strengthened their relationship in 2024, particularly after Ethiopia signed a preliminary agreement with Somaliland. This deal involves leasing coastal land in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence from Somalia. The Mogadishu government has condemned this agreement, viewing it as an attack on its sovereignty and vowing to block it by any means necessary.
Egypt Military deployment to Somalia
Cairo’s military contribution represents a substantial commitment to Somalia’s security infrastructure. Current reports from February 2026 indicate that Egypt is deploying approximately 1,100 troops. This force is heavily mechanised, utilising a variety of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) designed for high-threat environments.
The ground component includes the BAE Caiman and the RG-33L 6×6 MRAP. The RG-33L is a category II vehicle featuring a monocoque V-hull design to mitigate the effects of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). With a weight ranging between 26 and 37 tons, the 6×6 variant provides a stable platform for troop transport and command-and-control functions. Additionally, the forces utilise the NIMR Ajban 420 4×4 APC, a tactical vehicle produced in the United Arab Emirates. The Ajban 420 offers a modular armour system and a high-mobility chassis capable of reaching speeds over 130 km/h, which is essential for rapid response in the rugged terrain surrounding Mogadishu.
To support these ground operations, Egypt has integrated an aviation package consisting of both rotary and fixed-wing assets. The Mil Mi-24 Hind gunship provides heavy close air support, while the Mil Mi-17 utility helicopter handles troop transport and logistics. Notably, the deployment includes the AT-802i Air Tractor. This aircraft, originally designed for agricultural use, has been extensively modified for Counter-Insurgency (COIN) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its ability to operate from austere airstrips and provide long-loiter surveillance makes it a critical asset for monitoring insurgent movements. Egypt also deployed Hamza-2 drones.
Turkish Military Deployments to Somalia
Simultaneously, Turkey has accelerated its military cooperation with the Somali government. In early February 2026, the Turkish Navy landing ship TCG Sancaktar (L-403) and TCG Gökova (F-496) G-class frigate arrived at the port of Mogadishu. Somali State Minister of Defence Omar Abdi Ali and Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, Commander of the Somali National Army, welcomed the contingent. The shipment includes M48 and M60 Patton main battle tanks, BMC Vuran armoured vehicles equipped with mobile power generator units, armoured command centres, and air defence systems. Footage of a military convoy transporting Turkish T-60, M-48 Patton and upgraded T-62 tanks through the streets of Mogadishu. Turkey first announced the plans to deploy frigates to Somali waters to protect its interests in 2024.
The M48 Patton tank appeared in the United States in the early 1950s as a replacement for the M47 tank. The first versions were equipped with a 90 mm gun, but were later upgraded to the standard 105 mm gun. The tank has a hemispherical turret and a distinctive hull shape for better shell deflection. The M60 was developed based on the M48 model. It was equipped with a 105 mm M68 rifled gun. The hull and turret armour were made of cast steel.
Ankara’s support also extends into the kinetic realm. On January 28, 2026, three Turkish F-16 fighter jets landed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, marking the first time Turkey has deployed manned combat aircraft to the country. This shift from an advisory and training role to direct airpower projection represents a meaningful change in Turkish policy. Reports from late January 2026 even suggest that Turkish ground troops participated in direct combat against Al-Shabab alongside the elite Gorgor special forces, who were trained by Turkish instructors at the TURKSOM military facility.
The Turkish Air Force further supports these operations with the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft. This heavy-lift platform facilitates the delivery of equipment and supplies directly from Turkey to Mogadishu, ensuring a continuous logistics pipeline for the Somali National Army.
Earlier, Ankara delivered three T129 ATAK attack helicopters in 2024 and 2025, and at least two Bayraktar Akinci drones in 2025, under an expanded defence cooperation agreement with Somalia. Somali pilots completed training programs before the helicopters were transferred, strengthening the army’s ability to conduct close air support operations and counterinsurgency missions.
Turkey’s military assistance began increasing in 2020, starting with Kirpi armoured personnel carriers and transport vehicles for the Somali National Army. Additional shipments between 2021 and 2025 included mine-resistant vehicles, logistical trucks, heavy weapons, ammunition, and command-and-control equipment to enhance Somalia’s capabilities. Analysts describe Turkey’s engagement as a structured, multi-phase expansion, moving from mobility support to advanced air power and heavy armour deployments.
Vice Admiral Mustafa Kaya, Chief of Staff of the Turkish Naval Forces, has visited Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, to inspect the upcoming missions of the Somali Naval Task Group Vice Admiral met Somalia’s Chief of Defence Forces and the State Minister of Defence, and held talks with Turkish Naval Forces personnel serving in Somalia. The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed that new troops have been deployed to Somalia to bolster ongoing military operations in the country, specifically focusing on maritime and coastal operations. Among the new forces brought to Somalia is the Amfibi Deniz Piyade Bölüğü, a unit of the Turkish Marine Corps. This unit possesses the capability to execute complex maritime and coastal operations and is prepared to operate in environments where sea and land meet—particularly in counter-terrorism operations and port protection. This new Turkish unit will become part of the Somali-Turkish Task Force Command, working across logistics, operations, training, and technical support for the Somali Armed Forces. This move is expected to further strengthen the cooperation between the two nations while enhancing Somalia’s capacity for maritime defense and coastal security operations.
GEOPOLITICAL DRIVERS AND REGIONAL TENSIONS
The surge in military support from Egypt and Turkey follows a series of regional developments that have challenged Somalia’s sovereignty. A primary catalyst was Israel’s formal recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state on December 26, 2025. This move, which follows the January 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland, has been rejected by Cairo, Ankara, and Riyadh.
Egypt has explicitly stated its support for the legitimate institutions of the Somali state and its rejection of any attempts to impose parallel entities that conflict with national unity. This position is solidified by the military cooperation protocol signed in August 2024 between President El-Sisi and President Mohamud. Following this agreement, Egypt delivered one of the largest modern arms shipments to Somalia in September 2024, including anti-aircraft guns and heavy artillery.
The African Union also continues to bolster the Somali security architecture. On March 27, 2025, the AU delivered a large batch of military hardware, including fuel and water tankers, armoured vehicles, and medical supplies. These resources, combined with the technical assistance and operational guidance provided by Turkey, aim to create a self-sustaining security environment that reduces long-term reliance on foreign intervention.
As regional attention remains focused on the Red Sea corridor and the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan, the increased presence of Egyptian and Turkish forces serves as a deterrent against further fragmentation. By providing advanced weaponry and direct operational support, both nations demonstrate their commitment to the territorial integrity of Somalia and the broader stability of the Horn of Africa.