Jubaland has raised concerns over Türkiye’s military and political involvement in Somalia following a reported airstrike in Doolow District, Gedo Region, which the administration said injured five people.
In a statement issued by the Jubaland Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the administration said Turkish military aircraft carried out the overnight attack, targeting the residence of Mahad Abdirahman Adan, a former commander of Somalia’s Federal Government Custodial Corps.
Jubaland said two missiles were fired during the operation, with one striking the residence of the Chairman of Doolow District.
The administration said Adan and four other civilians were injured in the attack.
Jubaland alleged that Adan was targeted because of his political views, although the statement did not provide evidence to support the claim.
“Jubaland strongly condemns the airstrike carried out last night by Turkish military aircraft in Doolow District, Gedo Region.”
The administration said Doolow had remained largely free from serious security incidents for more than a decade and questioned the decision to carry out a missile strike in the town.
It described the reported attack as a serious development that could deepen Somalia’s political tensions and create a dangerous precedent.
Jubaland went further by accusing Türkiye of allowing its military capabilities to be used against individuals holding political views different from those of Somalia’s outgoing President.
The administration called on international partners to closely examine Türkiye’s involvement in the incident.
It specifically appealed to the United Nations, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, United States and European Union to give serious attention to the reported operation.
“This grave act reflects the dangerous direction in which the outgoing President, who continues to remain in office without legal legitimacy, together with the Government of Türkiye that supports him, is taking the country.”
Jubaland also questioned Türkiye’s ability to remain a credible participant in efforts to mediate Somalia’s internal political disputes.
The administration argued that the reported military action demonstrated what it described as Türkiye’s alignment with one side of Somalia’s political divide.
It warned that such involvement could undermine dialogue and efforts to bring together Somali stakeholders with differing political positions.
Jubaland also called for the United Nations to reconsider its decision to lift the arms embargo on Somalia.
The administration said weapons supplied to Somalia should only be provided alongside reliable mechanisms to ensure their proper control, management and accountability.
“Jubaland further calls on the United Nations to urgently reconsider the decision to lift the arms embargo on Somalia until a responsible government is in place and reliable mechanisms are established to ensure the proper control, management, and accountability of weapons provided to Somalia by the international community.”
The statement did not provide details on the circumstances leading to the reported airstrike or the military objective of the operation.
There was no response from Türkiye or Somalia’s Federal Government contained in the statement, while the allegations could not independently be verified.
Türkiye has broader military and defence cooperation with Somalia and has also been involved in diplomatic efforts concerning the country.
