Turkish military airlift activity highlights strategic role of cargo aircraft in Somalia

Feb 10, 2026

Turkish military airlift activity into Somalia has highlighted the strategic role of cargo aircraft in supporting overseas aviation operations.
According to Forbes, Turkish cargo planes carried out multiple flights into Mogadishu ahead of the deployment of F-16 fighter jets in late January, supporting logistics and infrastructure preparation at the airport.
The operation underscores how military airlift continues to rely on cargo aircraft to sustain deployments in regions where security and aviation operations increasingly intersect.

Recent Turkish military deployments into Somalia are drawing attention to the role of cargo aircraft in supporting overseas aviation operations in high-risk regions. According to Forbes, Türkiye deployed at least three F-16 fighter jets to Mogadishu in late January, with Turkish military cargo aircraft carrying out multiple flights into the Somali capital in the days preceding their arrival.

Satellite imagery cited in the report suggests that new hangars have been constructed at Mogadishu International Airport to support the deployment.

The Forbes analysis notes that the airlift activity formed part of a broader build-up of Turkish military infrastructure in Somalia, which already hosts Türkiye’s largest overseas military base. The cargo flights are understood to have supported logistics, equipment transport, and base preparation ahead of the fighter deployment.

Bloomberg, cited by Forbes, reported that the aircraft were deployed to support Turkish drone operations against militant groups and to protect growing Turkish strategic and commercial interests in the country, including planned offshore energy activity.

While the operation is military in nature, it underlines how cargo aircraft remain central to force projection, infrastructure development, and sustained aviation activity in regions where security considerations increasingly intersect with civilian airspace and airport operations.

According to Somali military sources, Turkey has delivered its first air defense system package, including anti-aircraft weapons, to #Mogadishu. #Somalia

A Turkish Air Force cargo plane reportedly landed in the Somali capital yesterday carrying the air defense systems.

The… pic.twitter.com/ex0xqgAO0q

— Bashir Hashi Yussuf (@BashirHashiysf) February 10, 2026

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀.
Military sources say Türkiye has delivered the first batch of air defense systems, including anti-aircraft weapons, to Mogadishu.

A Turkish Air Force cargo plane reportedly landed in the Somali capital yesterday carrying the air defense system.… pic.twitter.com/sRNGniK3uv

— Abdikarin Dahir I (@Abdikarindahirr) February 10, 2026