Flexing its Muscle, Turkey Is Spreading Its Influence in Africa
- Ankara to begin searching for oil off Somalia’s coastline
- Turkish drones have been sold to at least 11 African countries
Turkey, seeking to extend its influence in Africa and strengthen energy security, will send the 86-meter long research vessel Oruc Reis to explore offshore oil blocks belonging to Somalia next month.
The move, confirmed by Mohamed Hashi, director of Somalia’s petroleum ministry, could help diversify Turkey’s crude supply and is part of Ankara’s steady quest to boost ties in a region where China, Russia, Gulf states and the West also vie for sway.
