D
Cyprus: Ever since the 1974 intervention exerting rights of guarantorship seeking to prevent the island from uniting with Greece following a military coup in the island, Turkey holds a “permanent” military force in Cyprus and holds bilateral military agreements with government of TRNC. It is still one of the largest cross-border military structure in the world.
Somalia: The first legislation enabling Turkey to deploy naval forces in anti-piracy operations was passed on 10 February 2009. Turkey subsequently joined CTF 151, the multinational counter-piracy task force off the Somali coast. Since then, it has deployed its navy to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea on a regular basis. In the context of contributing to international efforts to resolve the Somali conflict, Turkey opened a military base in Mogadishu on 30 September 2017 to train recruits for the Somali National Army. Turkey regards it as a military training camp rather than a military base. Spread over 4 km2 , it can accommodate 1500 trainees at a time which is Turkey’s largest overseas military facility. Turkey is also providing Somalia with training support and equipment to establish the country’s navy and coastguard.
Libya: In January 2020, Turkish parliament agreed to send troops to Libya to support the UN-recognized government in Tripoli. Within the scope of the military cooperation agreement: Equiping, training and consultancy services for the Libya continues. Although the TSK does not yet have an official task force in Libya, it destroyed the anti-democratic and atrocratic attempt and collapsed the 2-year siege of Tripoli by the putschist forces.
Iraq: With bilateral agreements signed with central government and KDP government of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, Turkey operates many military bases in Iraqi territory, training Kurdish local gendarme (peshmerga), while holding operations against PKK and its fractions which are internationally designated as terrorist organizations.
Syria: Turkey opposes Russian backed Assad government, ISIS/Al-Qaeda, US backed YPG/PYD in Syria and through 3 military interventions into Syria is currently estimated to keep a stable force within Syrian territories. Turkey has been clean more than 4000 square kilometres area from the terrorist organizations and government sponsored atrocities. Turkey and related NGOs maintains the infrastructure work for these areas preparing for Syrian refugees which are forced to escape country.
Azerbaijan: Via a protocol struck in 2016, the cooperation has turned official and TAF has been given use of a base in Baku, as well as a terminal for air activities in Sumqayit. With the another military cooperation agreement signed in 2020, operational readiness started to be kept at the highest level. The annual TurAz Eagle exercise is the largest international military exercise in the region.
Albania: Being the Turkey's first overseas naval base; during the heightening of the Kosovo tensions, Turkey struck an agreement with the Albanian government in 1997 for a military base also usable by navy in Vlore, Albania. Although the reasons were given as training, the base held a crucial role during Turkish involvement in Kosovo War. It is also adjacent to the NATO base in the region.
Qatar: After GCC crisis and following blockade of Qatar by other Gulf countries, during escalation phase into possible warfare, Turkey stroke a deal with Qatar for a permanent Turkish military base and academy. Turkey began to gradually build up its military forces in Qatar. The countries blockading Qatar demanded that Turkey close its base, but Turkey refused. On the contrary, in March 2018, Turkey and Qatar signed an agreement to establish a naval base in northern Qatar.
Djibouti assigned trade zone and port area to Turkey, in recent years . TR working on a mixed project that can also be used as a naval supply base for this region. Military cooperation possible strategic collaborations with Oman and Kuwait is being evaluated. Another claim in 2020 is that Yemen negotiated the possibilities of cooperation with Turkey over re-commissioning of the ports. Cooperation with sub-Saharan atlantic countries, especially Guinea, is deepening.
Niger: (possible next step) Another focal point for Turkey is Central Africa. In this sense, rapidly deepening relations with friendly countries Mali, Niger and Ethiopia have exemplary positions. With latest reports about military cooperation agreement signed between Niger and Turkey, Turkey will establish joint military academy and training base. Thus it will be used for training military personnel for Niger. While Turkey opened its military training facilities and academies to more than 50 friendly countries' military students, we see that today this policy is being supported by cross-border academies.
Sudan (in an uncertain state) : During a visit to Sudan in December 2017, Turkish President Erdoğan signed a 99-year lease to redevelop the island of Sawakin (Suakin) as a tourism hub. Announcing the agreement, Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Ghandour, told reporters that Turkey would ‘build a Dock to maintain civilian and military vessels’ and that the deal could 'result in any kind of military cooperation’. The deal took place against the backdrop of a deepening partnership between Sudan and Turkey that has significant implications for the regional balance of power. Despite the official denials, in November 2018, media outlets reported that the Turkish military was undertaking surveys of the site with a view to constructing a military facility. During a visit to Sudan in the same month, the Turkish Defence Minister was reported to have discussed the ongoing construction work on Sawakin. The Sewakin island renovation project is in an uncertain state due to the military coup in Sudan.
UN, NATO and other collaborations:
Afghanistan: As part of NATO operations in Afghanistan, Turkey takes part in peacekeeping, training Afghan army and participating mainly in SEEBRIG. Turkey has been among the top 5 troop contributing nations in Afghanistan.
Kosovo: As part of NATO’s KFOR, Turkey stations troops in Kosovo and is currently the 4th biggest force present. Turkish army played a pivotal and crucial role in Kosovar independence also due to cultural ties.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: As part of the former NATO-led mission, Turkey continues to serve under the umbrella of EU’s EUFOR and Operation Althea in Bosnia. Partly due to cultural ties, Turkey constitutes the only sizeable element of EUFOR in Bosnia which is not an EU member.
Lebanon: As part of UN missions, Turkey has been supporting UNIFIL in Lebanon for over 10 years and stationing soldiers.
Mali: As part of UN’s MINUSMA mission, Turkey stations soldiers in Mali to support the operations.
Central African Republic: As part of UN’s MINUSMA mission, Turkey stations soldiers in CAF to support the operations.
Military observation missions are carried out on behalf of the UN in 6 sensitive regions from Bosnia-Herzegovina to East Timor. Turkey still supports Georgia within the scope of the OSCE. It also continues UN missions in the West Bank and Sudan. Military offices still operate in Georgia, Al Hallil and Sudan. It is estimated that nearly 50 thousand Turkish soldiers are currently serving abroad.
