Turkish Military’s Mission in the Gulf of Aden Extended for Another Year

Mission to Combat Piracy, Armed Robbery, and Maritime Terrorism Extended Until February 2026

The Presidential Decree Regarding the Extension of the Turkish Armed Forces Naval Elements’ Mission in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and Adjacent Regions for One Year Starting from February 10, 2025, Was Approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly.

Ankara (AA) – The Presidential Decree regarding the extension of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) naval elements’ mission in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions for one year starting from February 10, 2025, was approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) General Assembly.

The decree, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, recalled the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions adopted between 2008 and 2021 regarding piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters, the Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions.

The decree reminded that, with the TBMM’s decision on February 10, 2009, permission was granted for TAF elements to operate in the region for one year, and this period was last extended for another year on January 17, 2024.

The decree stated the following:

“By deploying TAF naval elements, the safety of Turkish-flagged and Turkey-related commercial vessels navigating in the region has been effectively maintained. Active participation in joint operations against piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism conducted by the international community has been ensured. Support has been provided to humanitarian aid activities in the mentioned regions. The operational effectiveness and regional experience of TAF naval elements have been enhanced. The continuation of cooperation with relevant countries in this field has been supported, and our role and visibility within the UN system, both regionally and globally, have been strengthened.”

The decree emphasized that Turkey attaches importance to the development of international cooperation in the fight against piracy and armed robbery, has supported efforts in this field from the very beginning, and actively participates in the work carried out within the UN, NATO, the European Union, and the International Maritime Organization. It was also recalled that Turkey, as a founding member, participates in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, established under UN Security Council Resolution 1851 dated December 16, 2008.

The decree noted that TAF naval elements periodically participated in NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield, conducted between 2009 and 2016, and in Combined Task Force-151 (CTF-151), established within the Combined Maritime Forces since 2009, with frigates and corvettes. It was stated that Turkey assumed the CTF-151 Command six times between 2009 and 2020 and took over the command for the seventh time on July 24, 2024.

The decree also noted that, upon the request of Somalia to the UN Secretary-General, no resolution was adopted by the UN Security Council in 2022 and beyond, continuing the previous resolutions regarding the fight against piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism in the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters, the Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions.

• “A Requirement of Our International and National Responsibilities”

The decree highlighted that the international community’s operations against piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism, conducted based on UN Security Council Resolution 1851 dated December 16, 2008, continue in the region outside Somali territorial waters. It was noted that the mission period of the EU’s Operation Atalanta, one of these operations, was extended until February 28, 2027, by the EU Council’s decision on December 16, 2024.

The decree stated that Turkey continues its participation in the activities of CTF-151 within the Combined Maritime Forces.

It was noted in the decree that, according to the TBMM’s decision on January 17, 2024, the mission period of TAF naval elements in the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters, the Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions will end on February 10, 2025. The following was expressed:

“Effectively supporting international efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism, which threaten international peace and stability and negatively affect our national interests, and contributing to the safety of navigation in the region, is seen as a requirement of our international and national responsibilities. In this regard, it is considered appropriate to support joint operations against piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism in the mentioned regions, taking into account the principles and procedures determined in the TBMM’s decision numbered 934, within the framework of relevant international agreements and practices, including the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, to which our country is also a party.

With these considerations, I present to your attention that, in accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution, the permission period granted by the TBMM’s decision numbered 1401 on January 17, 2024, for the deployment of TAF naval elements outside the territorial waters of regional countries in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions for the purpose of combating piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism, and for the necessary arrangements to be made by the President, be extended for one year starting from February 10, 2025.”

• From the Discussions

Cemalettin Kani Torun, Bursa Deputy of the New Path Party, speaking on the decree, emphasized that Turkey’s participation in maritime security operations in Somalia involves not only military but also economic and diplomatic responsibilities. He stated, “We must consider the long-term consequences of our steps in Somalia, which serve as a reference point for our relations with Africa, and act with a balanced approach that protects our national interests beyond party lines.”

Ahmet Eşref Fakıbaba, Ankara Deputy of the İYİ Party, stated that they positively view all agreements and decrees that contribute to peace, saying, “We will also vote ‘yes’ to this decree.”

İsmail Özdemir, Kayseri Deputy of the MHP, highlighted that Turkey’s sincere approach in Somalia sets an example for the relations developed with other countries on the continent. He noted that today, delegations from Turkey to the African continent are welcomed with sincerity, enthusiasm, and excitement.

Özdemir said, “The country where our efforts to bring Turkish justice, order, and peace to the world are embodied is, so to speak, Somalia.” He added:

“Our wish is that our relations with both Somalia and the entire African continent can confidently move forward based on mutual respect and the principle of mutual benefit. Under these conditions, as the MHP, we believe that Turkey’s presence in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, through its own policies, bilateral relations, and multinational initiatives, is of great importance for our national security, interests, and goals. To achieve a more stable Somalia, in addition to military support and the protection of its territorial waters, the exploration and economic utilization of Somalia’s offshore oil and natural gas resources, as well as the protection of the rights and interests of Somalia and Africa in the competition for space, alongside land, sea, and air sovereignty, are high-vision goals. Turkey should not only maintain but also increase its weight in the region.”

Cengiz Çandar, Diyarbakır Deputy of the DEM Party, argued that Syrian President Ahmed Şara does not represent all groups in the country and stated that Turkey should be the protector of the entire Syrian people, not certain factions.

Namık Tan, Istanbul Deputy of the CHP, stated that they approved the Presidential Decree regarding the extension of the Turkish military’s mission in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions for one more year.

Tan expressed support for the lieutenants who were given the “separation from the armed forces” penalty, saying, “Even if we are on the gallows, we will continue to say, ‘We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal.’ We will not let anyone tamper with the DNA or the load-bearing columns of this secular republic, which we did not find on the streets. Therefore, my call to the President and the AKP-MHP benches is this: Bring the ballot box as soon as possible; this nation is eager to show you the door.”

Following Tan’s remarks, Erkan Akçay, Deputy Group Chairman of the MHP, said, “It is time for the CHP to stop hiding behind Atatürk and exploiting him. Give up this fake Atatürkism already.” Akçay argued that the CHP is not the founding party of the republic.

Murat Emir, Deputy Group Chairman of the CHP, stated that the CHP is the founding party of the republic, saying, “Your fathers and grandfathers were CHP members. There had to be a party during the War of Independence, and that party is the CHP. We are all still Kuvayımilliyeci, following Atatürk’s path, and soldiers of Mustafa Kemal. You are afraid of this.”

• “The Dissolution of the Task Force Will Risk the Resurgence of Piracy Activities”

Adil Karaismailoğlu, Chairman of the TBMM Commission on Public Works, Reconstruction, Transport, and Tourism, and AK Party Trabzon Deputy, reminded that Turkey actively supports maritime security operations within NATO and the UN.

Karaismailoğlu underlined that their contributions to the increasing security threats in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea ensure the safety of Turkish-flagged vessels and maritime trade. He stated that these steps will elevate Turkey’s competitive power in global maritime trade and take it beyond being a regional trade center.

Karaismailoğlu noted that maritime affairs are one of the most critical areas determining a country’s economic power, regional influence, and global strategy. Therefore, ensuring safety in maritime transportation, as in air, land, and rail transportation, is among their top priorities. He continued:

“The success of the task force established to combat piracy is evident, and we believe it is extremely important for our country to continue participating in this formation for the continuity of maritime trade. The dissolution of the task force will risk the resurgence of piracy activities in the region. Effectively supporting international efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism, which threaten international peace and stability and negatively affect our national interests, and contributing to the safety of navigation in the region, is seen as a requirement of our international and national responsibilities.”

Following the discussions, the Presidential Decree regarding the extension of the Turkish military’s mission in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions for one more year was voted on and approved.