Excursus: Turkey's Military Engagement Abroad

Military Bases

Location	Number of troops	Purpose of the base	Year
Northern Cyprus	30,000–40,000	According to the Treaty of Guarantee (1960), Turkey is a guarantor power for Cyprus, together with Greece and the United Kingdom. In 1974, Turkey undertook unilateral military action by claiming the rights and security of Turkish Cypriots. Ankara since claims that it is ensuring the security of the northern part of the island – the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – which is recognized only by Turkey. Moreover, Turkey considers its military presence in Cyprus as a necessity for the security of the Anatolian homeland. The military base is the oldest and largest Turkish base abroad. Ankara also plans to build a naval base in Northern Cyprus.	1974
Qatar	3,000–5,000	Turkey’s first military base in the Middle East. The mission is to support the enhancement of Qatar’s defense capabilities and to intensify military cooperation. The highest-ranking officer in the mission is a brigadier general. The Turkish military has trainers and special operations forces in addition to air and naval units. The base will also contribute to counter-terrorism and international peacekeeping operations. In 2018, Turkey and Qatar also signed an agreement for Turkey to establish a naval base in northern Qatar.	2015
Somalia	2,000	The main objective is capacity-building. Camp TURKSOM in Mogadishu trains the officers and soldiers of the Somali Armed Forces and is helping the Somali government to build a national military force. This military base also provides the necessary equipment for the country’s coast guard and navy. The mission can be extended to foreign internal defense if the rules of engagement are renewed.	2017

Defense Cooperation

Location	Number of troops	Background of the cooperation	Year
Albania	20	The Albanian-Turkish military cooperation agreement was signed in 1997 and enabled Turkey to rebuild Albania’s only naval base, Pasha Liman (Vlorë). This agreement granted Turkey’s navy the right to use the base. In February 2020, Albania and Turkey signed the Defense Cooperation Plan to strengthen and intensify their interactions in the areas of security and defense. There are 24 military personnel stationed at the base.	1997
Azerbaijan	60	In 2010, Turkey and Azerbaijan signed the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support. It obliges both countries to assist each other using “all possibilities” in the case of a military attack on either by a third country. Turkey and Azerbaijan regularly hold joint military exercises.	2010
Sudan	N/A	In 2017, under Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Turkey and Sudan signed bilateral deals to boost military cooperation and build a docking facility for naval and civilian vessels in the port city of Suakin. After the ouster of President al-Bashir from power, it remains unclear how the transitional government will treat existing agreements with Turkey.	2017

Military Operations / Forward Operating Bases

Location	Number of troops	Purpose	Year
Iraq	5,000-10,000	Turkey has the highest number of military bases in Iraq. The Turkish military conducts operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) forces in northern Iraq. Thanks to bilateral agreements signed with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, Turkey operates dozens of military bases in and around Bashiqa, training Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni Arab fighters. However, the Iraqi government in Bagdad has reiterated that Turkey must suspend its military operations on Iraqi soil.	1992
Syria	approx. 10,000	The Turkish military carries out reconnaissance and intelligence work as well as trains and equips the local partners. The bases are mainly used to fight the Kurdish-led forces operating under the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey has more than 10 observation posts around the Syrian province of Idlib.	2016
Libya	N/A	Turkish troops train and advise the forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. They also supply intelligence. Turkish troops are under the command of a two-star general, who is currently the highest-ranking officer deployed in a trans-border military activity.	2019

NATO, UN, and EU Missions

Location	Number of troops	Purpose	Year
Afghanistan	648	As a partner in the Resolute Support Mission (UN Resolution 2189), Turkey participates in the Train Advise Assists Command – Capital military formation and keeps the Hamid Karzai Afghanistan International Airport secure.	2002
Kosovo	321	Turkey is a member of KFOR Force that serves to maintain safety and security for all individuals and communities in Kosovo.	1999
Bosnia and Herzegovina	242	Turkey acts as a partner country in Operation Althea of the EU to support the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment in the country.	2004

Turkey’s UN Peacekeeping Missions

Turkey is a regular contributor to various UN peacekeeping missions. According to the goals and mandate of the specific mission, Turkish personnel participate in missions aiming at protecting civilians, monitoring the cessation of hostilities, helping to ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations, as well as promoting security, stability, and respect for human rights. According to the latest UN report (30 October 2020), Turkey has 128 military and police personnel in the following UN missions:

Mission Code	Country	Personnel Types (group)	Sum of total	Year
UNIFIL	Lebanon	Troops	109	2006
UNIFIL	Lebanon	Staff Officer	2	2006
UNMISS	South Sudan	Individal Police	23	2005*
MONUSCO	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Individal Police	8	2006**
MINUSMA	Mali	Individal Police	5	2019
UNAMID***	Darfur/West Sudan	Individal Police	3	2006
UNMIK	Kosovo	Individal Police	1	2011
UNMIK	Kosovo	Experts on Mission	1	2011

* First Turkish contribution to UNMIS, the preceding mission to UNMISS.

** First Turkish contribution to MONUC, the preceding mission to MONUSCO.

*** UNAMID completed its mandate on 31 December 2020. UNITAMS continues to support the transition in Sudan.

Mission	Country	Info
UNIFIL	Lebanon	Originally, UNIFIL was created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area. The mandate had to be adjusted twice, due to the developments in 1982 and 2000. Following the July/August 2006 crisis, the Council enhanced the Force and decided that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.
UNMISS	South Sudan	On 9 July 2011 South Sudan became the newest country in the world. The birth of the Republic of South Sudan is the culmination of a six-year peace process which began with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. In adopting resolution 1996 (2011) on 8 July 2011, the Security Council determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region and established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) to consolidate peace and security and to help establish conditions for development. Following the crisis which broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, the Security Council, by its resolution 2155 (2014) of 27 May 2014, reinforced UNMISS and reprioritized its mandate towards the protection of civilians, human rights monitoring, and support for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
MONUSCO	Democratic Republic of the Congo	MONUSCO took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation – the United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) – on 1 July 2010. It was done in accordance with Security Council resolution 1925 of 28 May to reflect the new phase reached in the country. The new mission has been authorized to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate relating, among other things, to the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.
MINUSMA	Mali	The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission was asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap. By unanimously adopting resolution 2164 of 25 June 2014, the Council further decided that the Mission should focus on duties, such as ensuring security, stabilization and protection of civilians; supporting national political dialogue and reconciliation; and assisting the reestablishment of State authority, the rebuilding of the security sector, and the promotion and protection of human rights in that country.
UNAMID	Darfur/West Sudan	The United Nations – African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur completed its mandate on 31 December 2020. A UN political mission (UNITAMS) continues to support the transition in Sudan.
UNMIK	Kosovo	Originally, the Security Council, by its resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, authorized the Secretary-General to establish an international civil presence in Kosovo – the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) – in order to provide an interim administration for Kosovo under which the people of Kosovo could enjoy substantial autonomy. Its task was unprecedented in complexity and scope; the Council vested UNMIK with authority over the territory and people of Kosovo, including all legislative and executive powers and administration of the judiciary. Subsequently, following the declaration of independence by the Kosovo authorities and the entry into force of a new constitution on 15 June 2008, the tasks of the Mission have significantly been modified to focus primarily on the promotion of security, stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo.