The mandate of Turkish forces serving in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, and the Arabian Sea will operate has been extended to one year following a vote by the Turkish parliament.
According to Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency, the lawmakers ratified a motion extending the authorization of the deployment until Feb. 10, 2023.
Since it was first approved by parliament in 2008, the motion for the deployment has been extended 14 times.
The deployment ensures support for the national policy of the continuation of cooperation with the relevant countries in this field and the reinforcing of the role and visibility that the Turkish armed forces play in the system of the UN on a regional and global scale, according to Turkish Defence ministry.
The Gulf of Aden is a strategic chokepoint of global importance near the Bab el-Mandab Strait, which is a vital route for oil and natural gas shipments passing from the Gulf to the Red Sea.
The Arabian Sea and Somalia are adjacent to the strategic trade route.
