Somaliland on High Alert as Turkish Vessels Head Toward its Waters

Critical Alert for the Government of Somaliland and Coast Guard

Somaliland is facing a serious maritime threat as four Turkish vessels, including the research ship Oruc Reis, approach its territorial waters on a mission to explore for oil and gas in the Horn of Africa. Departing from Ankara just days ago, these vessels are bound for Somalia and are expected to transit through the Gulf of Aden in the coming days. This development has put Somaliland’s Coast Guard on high alert, as the ships will be passing dangerously close to Somaliland’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

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The vessels, escorted by Turkish frigates and a naval task force, are headed to conduct seismic exploration off Somalia’s coast, an area that could hold significant oil reserves. But for Somaliland, whose independence remains unrecognized on the global stage, this move represents not just a potential breach of its waters, but a broader geopolitical challenge from Turkey—a nation that has been vocally opposed to Somaliland’s quest for international recognition.

Turkish officials, including Energy Minister Fatih Bayraktar, have made no secret of their ambitions in Somalia. Just last week, Bayraktar hinted that early seismic data from the region’s waters looked promising, raising the possibility of a major oil discovery. Turkey has further cemented its influence in Somalia through defense and economic cooperation deals, including bolstering the country’s naval capabilities to secure its maritime claims.

For Somaliland, the implications of Turkey’s growing presence in the region are profound. Relations between Ankara and Hargeisa have soured in recent years, particularly after Somaliland deepened its own strategic ties with Ethiopia. Ankara has reportedly viewed the Somaliland-Ethiopia partnership with increasing suspicion, particularly as Ethiopia eyes military port development in the region.

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Turkey’s involvement in Somalia’s energy sector marks the latest episode in its broader strategy to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa. By sending the Oruc Reis—a ship previously used in high-stakes energy disputes in the Mediterranean—Turkey is signaling its determination to secure a foothold in the region’s untapped oil reserves. The Turkish-Somali alliance, solidified earlier this year through a secretive exploration agreement, gives Turkey exclusive rights to search for oil in Somalia’s exclusive economic zone.

Somaliland authorities are now faced with the immediate challenge of ensuring that Turkey’s aggressive oil hunt does not encroach on their waters. With the Turkish fleet nearing the Suez Canal, and soon to pass through the Gulf of Aden, the Somaliland Coast Guard is tasked with closely monitoring these ships to prevent any seismic activity in Somaliland’s territorial waters.

Officials in Hargeisa have voiced concerns over the presence of these vessels, calling for heightened vigilance. “We must remain resolute in defending our sovereignty,” a senior government official told waryatv.com, stressing the need for Somaliland to work closely with its allies, including Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, to counter any potential threats to its territorial integrity. The official also emphasized the importance of diplomatic engagement to bring international attention to Turkey’s actions in the region.

Somaliland’s leadership is preparing a formal statement to alert the global community to the dangers posed by Turkey’s seismic mission. The government plans to issue a press release condemning Turkey’s attempts to violate Somaliland’s maritime sovereignty and highlighting Ankara’s role in undermining regional stability. By positioning itself as a responsible and peaceful actor in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland hopes to draw international support for its stance against Turkish interference.

Somaliland’s bid for recognition and its efforts to safeguard its natural resources are now at a critical juncture. While Turkey deepens its economic and military ties with Somalia, Somaliland is increasingly concerned about being left on the margins of a geopolitical power struggle that could reshape the region’s energy landscape. The risk of Turkey exploiting the region’s oil reserves only heightens tensions, raising the stakes for Somaliland’s government to act decisively.

Observers say that the coming days will be crucial as Turkey’s vessels continue their journey toward Somalia. Whether Turkey chooses to respect Somaliland’s maritime borders, or pushes further into contested waters, remains to be seen. For Somaliland, the arrival of the Oruc Reis and its escorting naval force underscores a harsh reality: the struggle for control over the Horn of Africa’s resources is intensifying, and Somaliland’s sovereignty is once again being put to the test.

In the face of these challenges, Somaliland’s leadership is urging unity at home and cooperation abroad, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the region’s stability and protecting its territorial waters from foreign exploitation. As the Oruc Reis draws closer, Somaliland’s next steps could have lasting implications for its future and its standing in a volatile region.

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