Rumors about a Turkish space base in Somalia have circulated for months, yet no concrete evidence has emerged — until now. Recent weeks have seen increased activity by Chinese and Western spy satellites over the region, along with reports of Turkish engineers and equipment arriving, suggesting construction is indeed underway.
The question remains: why did Turkey choose Somalia for its space base? Beyond strategic positioning, this country offers a largely unregulated environment. With a weak central government in Somalia, Ankara can negotiate favorable terms for building and operating the facility.
The construction of Turkey’s Somali space base carries significant implications for regional and global security. It could heighten tensions with Ankara’s rivals and trigger an arms race in the Indian Ocean. Moreover, it may further destabilize Somalia, the nation already plagued by violence and poverty. Despite the risks, Turkey appears determined to push forward, viewing this space project as a way to assert power, expand influence, and cement its role as a regional leader.
Western nations and China are closely monitoring the Turkish base’s development in Somalia due to several key concerns. In fact, space assets are increasingly vital for military, economic, and intelligence operations, and a Somali facility could enable Turkey to monitor satellites, intercept signals, and deploy its own spacecraft — capabilities that undoubtedly alarm its competitors.