Somalia Suspends Relations with UAE Following Illegal Entry of Yemeni Separatist

Somalia Cancels All Agreements with the United Arab Emirates

Somalia has confirmed the cancellation of all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi, backed by the UAE, illegally entered the country through the separatist region of Somaliland, a top minister stated.

Ali Omar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specified that al-Zubaidi's entry into the territory on January 8 was the "last straw" that compelled the capital, Mogadishu, to sever ties with Abu Dhabi.

The decision, announced by the Council of Ministers, nullifies agreements that included port operations, security cooperation, and defense. "Using Somalia's airspace to transport a fugitive is unacceptable to us," Omar emphasized.

The ministry highlighted that while this incident prompted the decision, broader frustrations regarding the UAE's behavior in Somalia were a key factor. "We tried to engage diplomatically, but we have now decided to take action. Diplomacy has not worked," he added.

This decision has exposed deep fractures within Somalia's federal system, with regions that have strong commercial and security ties to the UAE rejecting Mogadishu's authority to annul the agreements.

Additionally, Israel's recognition of Somaliland in December has generated further tensions, with Somali officials accusing the UAE of facilitating this initiative. Information Minister Daud Aweis emphasized that Somalia is attempting to regain control over its sovereignty and calls on the international community to engage with the country on the basis of state-to-state relations.

However, the ongoing Israeli recognition continues to fuel tensions and raises questions about the region's stability, with Minister Omar warning that an Israeli military presence could lead to even more challenges in the area.