Türkiye continues to expand its military footprint around the world

Türkiye’s expansive military reach under President Erdogan’s leadership marks a return to historical prominence, shaping regional dynamics and addressing modern security imperatives

Türkiye’s current military presence abroad harkens back to the days of the Ottoman Empire, boasting a scope not seen since then.

Besides its longstanding 50-year military base in northern Cyprus, Türkiye’s forces now extend across four countries in the Middle East.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also indicated plans to ramp up operations in Syria and Iraq while maintaining troops in Azerbaijan and Somalia.

A recent agreement with Somalia focused on enhancing maritime security underscores Türkiye’s growing reach.

Türkiye as an active force in the Middle East

The rationale behind Türkiye’s military activities varies across regions. In Iraq, the focus is squarely on combating Kurdish separatism, with frequent airstrikes targeting Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) hideouts.

Employing an “inkblot” strategy, Türkiye has established over 100 army outposts along the rugged Iraqi border, bolstering its presence significantly since the 1990s.

Meanwhile, in Syria, Türkiye’s intervention represents one of its largest military endeavors since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Beginning in 2016, Turkish forces entered Syria to combat Daesh and the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

These operations also aimed to establish a buffer zone to encourage the return of Syrian refugees and prevent a new influx of migrants.

The deployment of Turkish forces to Libya followed a similar vein, with Erdogan supporting the United Nations-recognized government in Tripoli against the forces of military commander Khalifa Haftar, backed by Russian mercenaries and regional allies.

Türkiye’s strategic alliance with Qatar, dating back to 2017, reflects shared interests in the region, particularly in countering the influence of Saudi Arabia and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood.

The two countries deepened their security cooperation with an agreement in 2022, facilitating joint drills and logistical support.

Deepening security cooperation with Somalia

In Somalia, Türkiye’s military presence focuses on training local forces and aiding in the country’s reconstruction efforts, marred by decades of conflict. An agreement earlier in 2024 highlighted increased defense cooperation and efforts to enhance Somalia’s naval capabilities.

Azerbaijan, with its close ties to Türkiye, benefited from Turkish military support during the 2022 conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, where Turkish-supplied drones played a crucial role.

Cyprus, split between Turkish Cypriots in the north and Greek Cypriots in the south, has been a focal point of Turkish military presence since 1974. Türkiye’s troops, stationed in the north, stemmed from a desire to protect Turkish Cypriots following a coup attempt seeking union with Greece.

Second largest manpower in NATO

Türkiye’s military prowess extends beyond its immediate region, participating in NATO-led missions in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the latter now under EU leadership.

Military trainers from Türkiye also assist in Gambia and Mali, reflecting the country’s multifaceted international engagements.

This comprehensive military strategy under President Erdogan’s leadership signifies a bold step towards reclaiming Türkye’s historical influence while addressing contemporary security challenges.

Source: Newsroom