Turkey is planning to send an 86-meter research vessel, the Oruc Reis, to Somali waters in September to explore for oil and gas.
The vessel will conduct exploration activities in three offshore blocks off the Horn of Africa, a move welcomed by Somalia's Petroleum Ministry Director Mohamed Hashi as a potential step towards diversifying Turkey's crude oil supply from the East African country.
Earlier this month, the Turkish parliament approved a request by the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to send a naval support vessel to Somali waters in response to increased piracy concerns in the region, with the Turkish naval vessel expected to escort the research vessel.
Turkey is currently actively mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, another close partner, to resolve a dispute over a naval base and port access sought by Addis Ababa in the coastal city of Berbera in the unrecognized breakaway state of Somaliland.