Had the latest attack that targeted the Turkish embassy in the Somali capital of Mogadishu achieved its desired damage, losses would have been far higher than they were. The vigilance of the guards, who killed some of the attackers before they could detonate their explosives, prevented their plan to take out Turkish diplomats and security figures. It would have been the largest such attack to date.
The Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabab movement released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. In it, the group justified targeting Turkey because its policy of “supporting the apostate regime [in Somalia] and seeking to suppress the Shari’a order.”
We were about to accept this scenario, which is considered logical given that Turkey—especially over the last five years—has increased its reconstruction, development and humanitarian projects, which extend far beyond Somali borders. Turkish embassies have become active missions that work around the clock to block such organizations from finding supporters, according to the Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.
We were also about to believe that the attack was the price paid by Turkey and many other countries for going to Somalia and trying to provide peace between warring groups and end the lengthy civil war. These countries, however, abandoned Somalia amid a political and security vacuum, competing to take a piece of the African pie under international cover and direct intervention of the regional and international organizations as well as military and security presence there.
However, Ankara’s direct accusations of international powers infuriated by Turkey’s involvement in Somalia—an activity that has reversed the traditional considerations in the horn of Africa—have directed attention towards another scenario. This scenario is directly related to new regional players in this region.
In fact, this region contains the world’s most strategic waterways and perhaps what adds to its value and importance is the discovery of oil and precious metals. Davutoglu’s statements regarding the role played by some international powers in the attack leads us to a new conviction about the attack and the reasons behind it. In fact, it prompted us to entertain a number of possibilities, by viewing the attack as an attempt on the part of some sides—whose influence has receded and interests threatened by Turkey—to settle scores with Ankara.
Turkish political and security analysts dramatically took us back to the starting line by talking about those responsible and their interests in carrying out such an attack. This time, we were told that internal and external forces were conspiring against Erdoğan’s government and wanted to exclude Islamists from power. This was in the framework of a comprehensive plan, that had been developed, funded, and then carried out by Al-Shabab for the conspirators’ advantage.
A few days ago, the Greek Navy intercepted an inflatable boat transporting weapons and explosives to Turkey. Those detained confessed to preparing a campaign of assassinations of senior politicians and officials. This strengthened the argument that forces inside and outside of Turkey were behind the Mogadishu plot.
But the most likely possibility remains that Turkey is paying the price for changing its policy and attitudes towards extremist organizations that have obtained services and facilities, disregarding the movements on the Syria-Turkey border. Ankara and its allies are involved in more than politics and diplomacy with those that are against them. These forces wanted to warn Erdoğan’s government from any attempts to block their important supplies, and that any attempt to make new alliances in Syria should take them into consideration.
The message from Mogadishu reminded Turks of the bombings in Istanbul nearly a decade ago, carried out by Al-Qaeda. It also reminded them that Ankara cannot trust or be involved with these groups, which refuse partnership with any party unless it sets the terms and conditions. Moreover, that Salih Muslim Muhammed, the secretary-general of the Democratic Union Party, and Turkey’s arch enemy, has been welcomed by Syria will not be accepted even if Ankara had to prioritize fighting Kurds in Syria over fighting the Syrian regime.
by : Samir Salha
Turkey must stop its nasty recolonization agenda of poor Moslem coyuntries such the failed state of Somalia. Every Somali is becoming aware of that Turkish empirial agend hidden under humanitarian aides.
Turkey Islamist gevernment must learn valubale lessons from the collapse of the Othman empire otherwise whwn Turkey became the sick state next door to Europe.
Another fool who is disclosing his xenophobic feeling for people who are different than himself. Turkey has no hidden agenda. Although tremendously growing economic conditions and PM Erdogan's AK Party's socially conscious culture contribute to it, the goodwill work of Turkey and Turkish people is mainly driven by the non-governmental organizations. One of the main reasons made PM Erdogan to stay in power is that his party regularly get done public surveys about his party's performance and where there needs to be make improvement. In other words, PM Erdogan and his top political officials like to listen and execute the will of its people. What else can explain the ever increasing popularity of PM Erdogan and his political party. The fact that Turkish citizens were able to raise more than $350 million in the first attempt within a very short time following famine in Somalia proves my point of view, the prosperity that Turks are enjoying in the last decade encourages to practice some of their values that are socially and environmentally conscious.
You are a piece of junk. How in the world you badmouth the only realistic people that are trying to help when everybody abandons you?
Turkey is just trying to distract its population bc the turks arnt happy with their current administration
No kidding me! Turks are really not happy with the current administration? You have no excuse not to empower yourself with knowledge since the invention of the Internet. Erdogan's government has been the most popular one since the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic in 1923. His political party has won 3 consecutive local and general elections with ever increasing popularity which makes them probably the only political party in the world. The next election will be held in less than eight months and Erdogan's party is widely the front runner, more supporters than the combination of all the political parties and twice as much as its closest rival, CHP-People's Republican Party, the party of elite, old military rulers, the Marxist-Socialists. My only suggestion to you is "Read, read, read…and read some more."
In the same ways that many Nations are emerging in worldly ecopolitics, Turkey is no exception.
What happend in the Turkey Mogadiscio Embassy is similar to what happened to us Embassy
in Libya. Such terrorist attacks are unacceptable.
Cheers.