In recent years, Somalia has not fallen off our agenda. There are warm relations between Turkey and Somalia. Somalia is a country in which we see traces in our history.
Throughout the 16th century, the Ottomans struggled against the Portuguese, first seeking to establish dominance on the Arabian Peninsula and later in East and North Africa. In the 1530s, the Eyalet of Yemen established relations with the Somali Emirate. Cannons, firearms, and soldiers skilled in using these weapons were sent to the Somalis. Ottoman support revived the spirit of jihad in Somalia against the Abyssinians and the Portuguese. With the conquest of Abyssinia and the establishment of the Eyalet of Habesh in 1555, relations developed further.
By engaging in struggle with the Portuguese in the 16th century and helping Muslims—including the Somalis—the Ottomans contributed to saving East Africa from Christianization.
The Ottoman Empire supported Muslim emirates in Africa, India, and Indonesia in their struggles against the Portuguese and the Spanish by sending weapons and military experts—known in those regions as Rumi. In the 16th century, the Ottomans transferred military technology to distant lands stretching from Africa to India and Indonesia. Thanks to this, Muslims in those regions were able to maintain their presence.
