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Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed Defense Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur following pressure from the United States over his strong ties with Turkey. The move, announced on Sunday, has sparked speculation about shifting alliances and the impact on Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab.
Sources indicate that Washington was increasingly uneasy with Nur’s efforts to deepen military, energy, and aerospace cooperation between Somalia and Turkey. His reassignment as Minister of Ports comes amid signs that US military support for Somalia’s counterterrorism operations has slowed.
Nur played a key role in advancing Somalia’s defense ties with Turkey. In February last year, the two countries signed a major agreement covering naval security, trade, and military cooperation. While details of the deal remain undisclosed, reports suggest that Turkey was granted a leading role in safeguarding Somali waters, establishing a navy, and assisting in energy exploration. This agreement came as a response to Ethiopia’s controversial naval deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Nur, a fluent Turkish speaker and graduate of Ankara University, has maintained strong ties with Turkey’s leadership. His growing influence reportedly led to unease in Washington, which has traditionally maintained closer security ties with the United Arab Emirates in the Horn of Africa.
According to sources familiar with the matter, US military officials repeatedly urged President Mohamud to remove Nur. Concerns centered on his lack of coordination with American forces and Turkey’s expanding military footprint in Somalia. US officials also pushed for access to the February 2024 agreement between Somalia and Turkey.
The situation escalated when Turkey deployed two Bayraktar Akinci armed drones to Mogadishu on Tuesday to assist in combating al-Shabaab. This move, sources say, was the tipping point for Washington. US officials allegedly warned Somali leadership that failure to remove Nur could lead to a reevaluation of security cooperation against al-Shabaab.
US-Somali relations have experienced turbulence in recent months. Earlier in March, the US cut funding to the Danab Special Forces, an elite Somali military unit trained and supported by US Africa Command. Somali Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh informed parliament that the government must now seek alternative funding sources to cover Danab’s salaries.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Mogadishu recently issued a security warning about a potential al-Shabaab attack on key locations, leading to flight cancellations by Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Washington has also continued airstrikes against militant groups in Somalia under directives from US President Donald Trump.
While some Somali officials welcomed the decision to dismiss Nur, others remain concerned about the long-term implications for security cooperation. Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, a former Danab commander, praised the leadership change, calling it a necessary step forward.
Despite Nur’s removal, Turkey downplayed the potential impact on its relationship with Somalia. A Turkish government official emphasized that cooperation between the two nations is based on institutional agreements rather than personal connections. Ankara has invested significantly in Somalia’s infrastructure and defense sectors and is expected to maintain strong ties with Mogadishu.
Tunc Demirtas, a regional expert at the Ankara-based think tank SETA, noted that Turkey will likely continue supporting Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts. He suggested that the focus will shift toward strengthening institutional frameworks rather than relying on individual political figures.
As Somalia navigates complex geopolitical pressures, the dismissal of its defense minister marks a significant moment in the country’s evolving alliances. The coming months will reveal whether the move strengthens Somalia’s relationship with the US or drives it further into Turkey’s strategic orbit.