Turkey deployed three F-16 fighter jets to Mogadishu on Wednesday amid increasing Turkish investments in Somalia’s energy and space sectors. Turkish engineers have reportedly been working at the international airport for several days to prepare the site for the arrival of the jets. A source familiar with the deployment told MEE that the F-16s were stationed in Somalia as a precursor to Ankara's plans to send an oil exploration platform to Somalia. Turkey now operates a large military base in Mogadishu, while Turkish companies manage both the city’s airport and port. Ankara has also trained thousands of Somali soldiers, representing roughly one-third of Somalia’s military, both in Turkey and at its Mogadishu base, known as Turksom.