Dr. Rashid Abdi, Director of Research at the Sahan Institute in Kenya, told Israel Hayom about Turkey’s growing military ambitions in Africa. “
With a base in Somalia hosting thousands of Turkish troops, Turkey is becoming a Red Sea power,” he said. “Israel’s rivals are expanding their influence in Africa — it cannot afford to stay out of this arena.”
Speaking at the Africa–Israel Economic Forum held over the weekend, Abdi revealed that Turkey has been conducting ballistic missile tests in Eritrea, with ranges capable of reaching Israel. “My main message to Israel,” he warned, “is that it must not stay out of Africa, the Red Sea, or the western Indian Ocean. Many of Israel’s strategic competitors are now advancing rapidly on the continent.”
According to Abdi, Turkey recently signed a groundbreaking security cooperation agreement with Somalia, where it has stationed thousands of soldiers. He added that Turkey is constructing a space base that could help extend the range of its ballistic missiles.