Turkey has sent F-16 fighter jets and attack helicopters to Somalia to increase attacks against al-Shabab fighters and protect its growing interests in the country, Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

Ankara has now sent some of its fighter aircraft to Somalia, the people said, asking not to be named.

The move aims to boost Turkish drone operations against the Islamist group, which is linked to al-Qaeda. Al-Shabab has been fighting for two decades to overthrow the government in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

Bloomberg notes that Mogadishu hosts Turkey’s largest overseas military base, while Ankara is building missile testing facilities nearby.

Turkey’s Defense Ministry declined to comment.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi did not respond to Bloomberg’s phone calls or text messages.

Turkey has struck al-Shabab in recent months in operations with the United States, which also targets Islamic State fighters in Somalia.

This week, Somalia’s cabinet replaced the army chief to strengthen efforts against the militants. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud will immediately replace Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, it was announced. Mohamud is expected to intensify efforts to reclaim territory controlled by al-Shabab.

Turkey has had helicopters and combat drones in Somalia for years. It began training Somali soldiers in Mogadishu in 2017.

Over the past decade, Ankara has significantly expanded its influence through defense, energy and infrastructure projects. Turkey has announced it will soon start drilling for oil off Somalia’s coast.

Turkey’s latest military deployment comes after Somalia ended security agreements with the United Arab Emirates, which has strengthened ties with the breakaway region of Somaliland.