Turkey Wants Ballistic Missile Test Range, Spaceport in Somalia

Turkey wants to build a military base in Somalia to test ballistic missiles and launch satellites into space, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The report, which cites unnamed U.S. officials, says that Turkey has been in talks with the Somali government about building the base for several months. The base would be located in the northern Somali town of Kismayo, which is near the border with Kenya.

Turkey has been expanding its military presence in Somalia in recent years. In 2017, Turkey opened a military training base in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. Turkey has also provided military equipment and training to the Somali government.

The construction of a military base in Somalia would be a significant step for Turkey. It would give Turkey a strategic foothold in the Horn of Africa, a region that is of growing importance to the United States and other Western powers.

The United States has been concerned about Turkey's growing military presence in Somalia. In 2018, the U.S. government expressed concern about reports that Turkey was planning to build a military base in Somalia.

The Somali government has not publicly commented on the reports of Turkey's plans to build a military base in Somalia.

Here are some additional details about the reported plans for a Turkish military base in Somalia:

• The base would be located in the northern Somali town of Kismayo, which is near the border with Kenya.
• The base would be used to test ballistic missiles and launch satellites into space.
• Turkey has been in talks with the Somali government about building the base for several months.
• The United States has expressed concern about Turkey's plans to build a military base in Somalia.

The construction of a military base in Somalia would be a significant step for Turkey. It would give Turkey a strategic foothold in the Horn of Africa, a region that is of growing importance to the United States and other Western powers.