This study addresses a critical knowledge deficit regarding the impact of Türkiye’s foreign aid on conflict dynamics and stability in war-torn regions. While the broader aid-conflict nexus is well-documented, Turkish interventions in insecure environments remain significantly underexplored. To bridge this gap, the research examines Türkiye’s humanitarian engagement in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and Somalia (2011–2022). It proposes an alternative theoretical framework, arguing that Turkish aid functions as a violence dampener via three primary causal pathways: (i) the mitigation of socio-economic grievances, (ii) the acquisition of “hearts and minds” among local populations, (iii) increasing the opportunity cost for individuals considering insurgent recruitment.

Türkiye’s “humanitarian diplomacy” diverges from traditional donor models by integrating immediate relief, long-term development, and peace-building. This approach is characterized by a distinct implementation style involving direct, unilateral, in-kind assistance delivered by state-affiliated agencies. By operating in high-risk zones and leveraging historical and cultural affinities, Türkiye achieves a comparative advantage in securing local legitimacy. Consequently, Turkish aid proves less vulnerable to negative externalities, such as predation and sabotage, which often undermine aid effectiveness in conflict economies. Despite these advantages in violence mitigation, the study identifies internal challenges, including inefficient resource allocation and the duplication of efforts among Turkish actors. Ultimately, the findings suggest that culturally aligned and locally responsive aid serves as an effective policy instrument for fostering sustainable security in fragile states.

Keywords: Aid-conflict nexus, Humanitarian diplomacy, Insecure regions, Turkish aid, Violence dampener