In a recent article we pointed out that Turkey is not part of the Western naval coalition against the Houthis, keeping equal distance from both the US-led coalition in the Red Sea and the Yemeni rebels and their attacks on merchant ships in the region.
The main reasons why Turkey is once again maintaining a prudent attitude towards the West are to preserve its relations with Saudi Arabia, to balance its relations with Iran and to maintain its pro-Palestinian image.
Extension of the Turkish naval mission in the Gulf of Aden for one (1) year by the Parliament of the country
However, a reputable international media outlet reports in an article that, "Turkish parliament expands naval mission in Gulf of Aden as Erdogan backs Houthis", noting:
"The Turkish parliament on Wednesday approved a presidential proposal to extend the Turkish naval mission in the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters,the surrounding area and the Arabian Sea for another year, starting from February 10.
The opposition has criticised Turkey's involvement in the regional conflict, especially after the escalation caused by Houthi attacks on merchant ships bound for Israel.
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Κραυγή υπερήλικα μικροπωλητή σε χιλιάδες φοιτητές στο Σύνταγμα: "Να πάτε να δουλέψετε ρε που κάνετε συνδικαλισμό με τα ρόπαλα"
The proposal underlines the UN Security Council resolutions adopted in 2008 on maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents occurring in the region. It recalls the decision of the Turkish parliament on 10 February 2009 granting permission for the deployment of Turkish naval elements to operate in the designated area.
Having been extended 14 times in one-year increments so far, the proposal underlines the active role of the Turkish navy in ensuring the security of Turkish-flagged and Turkish-related merchant ships in the region.
It also underlines Turkey's commitment to collective efforts against maritime piracy, armed robbery and terrorism at sea, as well as its support for humanitarian aid activities in the areas concerned.
The resolution also credits the Turkish Navy with enhancing operational effectiveness and expertise in the region by strengthening cooperation with relevant countries, Turkey's role and visibility regionally and globally through the United Nations.
Erdogan's supportive attitude towards the Houthis after the US-UK attacks against them
On 11 January, the United States and the United Kingdom carried out air strikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
This action represents a substantial response following warnings from the administration of US President Joe Biden and its allies that the Iranian-backed militant group would face consequences for its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
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Επιτυχής η γεώτρηση της ΕΝΙ: Φλόγα από το φυσικό αέριο στον «Κρόνος 2» της Κυπριακής ΑΟΖ
However, Erdogan referred to the attacks against the Houthis by the US and the UK, stating that for the time being they wish to turn the Red Sea into a pool of blood.
Erdogan stressed that there is no room for complacency in this matter. "Right now we are receiving various reports through different channels that the Houthis have successfully defended themselves against both the United States and the United Kingdom," he said.
Former ambassador and current deputy from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Namık Tan expressed concern about Turkey's involvement in the regional turmoil and exposing the country to danger.
Noting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's negative attitude towards Shiite governments and parties, Tan found it surprising that Erdogan's support for the Houthis even contradicts his own foreign policy line, especially considering the close ties between the ruling party and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
He expressed curiosity about how Erdogan's allies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would react to this unexpected support for the Houthis.
The Gulf of Aden in the spotlight due to piracy-terrorism and human trafficking
In recent years the Gulf of Aden has come under the spotlight due to piracy, terrorism and human trafficking.
The atmosphere in the Gulf, which lies between Somalia and Yemen, is characterised by clashes between Somali pirates and the Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen, as well as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
International organisations are issuing warnings to merchant ships passing through this region.
Pirate activities in the waters off Somalia, which first appeared as a threat to international fishing vessels in the early 2000s but escalated to cause a problem for international maritime transport during the 2006-2009 war in Somalia, mainly involved former Somali fishermen.
These pirates attacked and hijacked commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the Guardafui Channel and the Somali Sea, demanding ransom.
Although attacks have significantly decreased since 2013, piracy activities still persist, especially around the Gulf of Aden, with international organizations issuing warnings to mariners in the region.
The influence of Houthi control in some areas of Yemen is a major contributing factor to this situation.
The close relations between Somalia and Turkey
Turkey maintains close relations with Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.
Since 2011 Turkey has had a strong alliance with Somalia, initially intervening to provide humanitarian aid during a famine.
As part of its efforts to support the country's reconstruction, Turkey has been actively involved in various initiatives, including the establishment of schools, training programs for Somali soldiers and infrastructure projects.
Over the past decade, Turkey has significantly expanded its presence in Somalia, building a military base in the capital and taking control of vital infrastructure, such as the International Airport and the port of Mogadishu, under the supervision of entities linked to President Erdogan.
In 2017, Turkey established its largest foreign military base, Camp TURKSOM, in Mogadishu, marking a significant escalation of Ankara's engagement with the Horn of Africa nation. Spread over an area of four square kilometers and reportedly costing $50 million, the military training facility has the capacity to train up to 1,500 soldiers simultaneously.
In 2020 Turkey secured a series of concessions that facilitate oil, gas and mining exploration and prospects in Somalia, allowing both private and state-owned companies to explore energy opportunities in the country."
Turkey is once again acting solely
Turkey is once again acting solely after its own interests, completely ignoring the fact that it is a member of NATO and an inferior member of the West from which it nevertheless derives security and geopolitical power, acting as a lone wolf in the Red Sea
This infuriates the US-EU-NATO even more, realizing once again what an opportunistic and insolvent "ally" Turkey is, since Erdogan has avoided including his country in the US-led coalition in the Red Sea, established last month to counter attacks on Israel-linked ships by Yemen's Ansarullah movement, better known as the Houthis.
The question is how long the US-NATO will tolerate problematic "ally" Turkey.
