Latest News from Turkey
Nine Killed in Second School Shooting in Southern Turkey Within Two Days
A 14-year-old armed with five guns and seven magazines opened fire in a middle school in Kahramanmaraş province on April 15, killing nine people including eight students and a teacher, and wounding 13 others before taking his own life. The weapons were taken from his father, a former police officer, highlighting the rarity of such incidents under Turkey's strict gun laws.
This followed another shooting a day earlier injuring 16 at a high school in the region.
Turkey Mourns School Shooting Victims as Teachers Launch Nationwide Protests
Teachers protested across Turkey on April 17 as authorities buried the nine victims—eight children aged 10-11 and their teacher—from the Kahramanmaraş middle school attack. The demonstrations reflect public outrage over the second school shooting in 48 hours, which also injured 13.
Mass shootings remain extremely rare in Turkey due to stringent gun control measures.
14-Year-Old Uses Father's Weapons in Deadly Kahramanmaraş School Massacre
The shooter in the April 15 Kahramanmaraş incident concealed his father's guns in a backpack, killing four and wounding 20 according to initial reports, later confirmed as nine dead including a teacher. Governor Mukerrem Unluer stated the student perpetrator also died at the scene.
Police and medical teams responded swiftly, with footage showing victims transported from the site.
Turkey Deploys F-16 Jets to Somalia, Expanding Military Footprint
Turkey sent F-16 fighter jets to Somalia for the first time in January 2026, with a flyover during a Somali military event on April 12, bolstering its presence. This supports plans for a Turkish aerospace base near Mogadishu for missile and satellite launches, construction of which began in December.
Deployments include tanks since February to secure the site.
Turkish Oil-Drilling Vessel Begins Operations in Somali Waters
A Turkish deepwater oil-drilling vessel arrived in Somalia’s EEZ in late March 2026, starting initial drilling on offshore wells, welcomed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Turkey’s energy minister on April 10. This move aligns with Turkey's growing resource interests in Africa.
It complements military expansions in the region.
Turkey Eyes Naval Base in Somalia's North East State
Turkey and Somalia are nearing a deal for a Turkish naval base in North East state, reportedly discussed in a January 2026 meeting between Presidents Erdoğan and Mohamud. Turkey backed the FGS’s inauguration of the state despite regional disputes.
This would enhance Turkey's naval projection in the Horn of Africa.
Back-to-Back School Shootings Shock Turkey, Prompt Security Concerns
Turkey experienced its second school shooting in 48 hours on April 15 in Kahramanmaraş, killing eight students and a teacher, after 16 were injured in a prior high school attack. Such events are unprecedented given strict gun laws.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaos at the scenes.
Public Outrage Grows Over Rare Gun Violence in Turkish Schools
The April 15 shooting by a middle school student using his father's weapons has sparked national concern, with four initially reported killed and 20 wounded. Final tallies confirm nine deaths, including children aged 10-11.
Authorities face pressure amid teacher protests and burials.
Turkey Bolsters Somalia Ties with Advanced Weaponry and Bases
Turkey is deploying advanced weaponry, F-16s, and tanks to Somalia while planning aerospace and naval bases to secure long-term military influence. The aerospace base northeast of Mogadishu received Somali approval in December 2025.
A deepwater drilling vessel further cements energy partnerships.
Kahramanmaraş Governor Details School Shooter’s Attack and Aftermath
Governor Mukerrem Unluer reported the shooter died after killing a teacher and students, with weapons hidden in a backpack at the middle school. Response included police, health workers, and civilians; victims were removed in body bags.
This incident underscores vulnerabilities despite tight gun controls.