File image.
F-16 fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force carried out a series of air strikes against targets of al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab in southern Somalia on August 30, killing about 35 militants and wounding more than 20 others, Somali Defense Ministry announced.
The strikes, conducted in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces, targeted caves, weapons caches and militant hideouts in the Godey area of the Lower Shabelle region, the ministry said in a statement, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to combat the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group.
“The Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Türkiye, conducted a series of airstrikes this morning using F-16 fighter aircraft in the Godey area of Lower Shabelle, targeting caves, weapons caches and hideouts used by Al-Shabaab terrorists,” the ministry said.
“The airstrikes eliminated approximately 35 Al-Shabaab terrorists, while more than 20 others sustained serious injuries,” it added.
The ministry further noted that a series of large secondary explosions followed the strikes, indicating the presence of weapons stockpiles, explosive materials and other military supplies at the targeted location.
“The site was also occupied by militants and vehicles loaded with explosives that had been prepared for use in terrorist attacks against Somali civilians,” it added.
In addition, the ministry thanked Somalia’s international partners for their continued support in counterterrorism operations.
“The Ministry of Defence extends its appreciation to Somalia’s international partners for their continued support in the fight against and eradication of terrorism,” the statement said.
Turkey has carried out strikes in Somalia in the past. However, the latest operation marked the first time it was officially announced that Turkish F-16s had launched strikes there.
The fighter jets were deployed at Aden Adde International Airport close to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, earlier this year, in February.
Over the past decade or so, the Turkish military trained thousands of Somali soldiers both in Turkey and at its Mogadishu base, known as Turksom, to fight Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups. Prior to the deployment of the F-16s, combat drones, such as the TB2 Bayraktar and Akinci, as well as T129 Atak attack helicopters were sent to Mogadishu.
The recent Turkish military expansion in Somalia is directly linked to Ankara’s plans to send an oil exploration platform to the country. The platform will start to drill off the Somali coast later this year. A spaceport project in northern Mogadishu is also in the planning stages.
In addition, Turkey is attempting to counter the influence of Israel, which last month became the first United Nations member state to formally recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region in northern Somalia.
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