Protests erupted in parts of Somalia’s southwest state over the weekend following alleged airstrikes in areas near Baidoa, the state’s capital, which has been blamed on Turkish warplanes APA can report.
The protesters voiced disappointment over Turkey’s growing military role in Somalia, accusing Ankara of involvement in airstrikes that they said had caused property damage in rural areas.
According to the protesters, the airstrikes affected farmland and livestock, although the claims have not been independently verified.
This comes following the growing foreign military presence in Somalia as part of an effort to fight al-Shabaab, particularly as Turkey has expanded its military and security cooperation with Mogadishu.
There was no immediate official confirmation from Turkish authorities that their forces carried out the alleged strikes, and the circumstances surrounding the reported airstrikes remained unclear.
Turkey has been one of Somalia’s closest international partners, providing military training, equipment and other forms of support as Mogadishu seeks to strengthen its forces and combat the al-Shabaab insurgency.
The reported protests come amid heightened political and security tensions in South West state, where relations between the regional administration and the federal government have also deteriorated.
The alleged airstrikes and demonstrations are likely to intensify scrutiny of foreign military operations in Somalia, where civilians in conflict-affected areas remain vulnerable to the consequences of fighting and air operations.
MG/as/APA