Somalia Cancels All Agreements with the United Arab Emirates Amid Tensions Over Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland and Reports of Emirati Involvement in Yemeni Separatist’s Escape
By: Juba Global News Network
JubaGlobal.com
Mogadishu, Somalia – January 12, 2026
In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, the Federal Government of Somalia announced on Monday the immediate cancellation of all bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including critical defense, security, and economic pacts. This decision comes amid mounting friction over Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state and allegations that the UAE facilitated the escape of a prominent Yemeni separatist leader through Somali territory. The move marks a significant rupture in Somali-Emirati relations, which have been strained for years due to competing interests in the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea region.
The Somali Cabinet, convened in an emergency session in Mogadishu, unanimously voted to annul all existing deals with Abu Dhabi, citing “hostile actions” that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Among the agreements affected are military cooperation protocols, port management concessions, and humanitarian aid arrangements. Somali officials have accused the UAE of repeatedly violating international norms by operating in Somaliland—a breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized by most of the international community—without Mogadishu’s consent.
The Spark: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
The immediate catalyst for Somalia’s decision appears to be Israel’s announcement on December 26, 2025, recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign nation, making it the first country to do so formally. Israeli officials described the move as a strategic imperative, positioning Somaliland as a bulwark against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and Turkish influence in Somalia. In exchange for recognition, Somaliland has reportedly granted Israel access to military bases and a major port in Berbera, directly across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen.
This development has been widely interpreted as part of a broader UAE-orchestrated “Axis of Secessionists,” aimed at countering Iranian and Turkish expansion in the region. The UAE, a close ally of Israel since the 2020 Abraham Accords, has invested heavily in Somaliland’s infrastructure, including a $442 million deal with DP World to develop Berbera Port in 2016. Abu Dhabi has also established a military base there, which has served as a hub for operations in Yemen’s civil war.
Somalia views these actions as direct encroachments on its sovereignty. “Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia, and any foreign engagement there without our approval is an act of aggression,” stated Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad in a press conference following the Cabinet meeting. The recognition by Israel has further inflamed tensions, with Somali leaders accusing the UAE of lobbying behind the scenes to encourage such moves. Reports suggest that Emirati diplomats have been pressuring the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump to follow suit, potentially recognizing Somaliland to bolster anti-Iran coalitions in the Red Sea.
Social media reactions have been swift and polarized. Users have decried the recognition as a “dark day” for Somali unity, with posts warning that it ties Somaliland explicitly to “UAE-Israeli interests,” transforming it from a local issue into a proxy conflict. Others highlighted Israel’s alleged demands for Somalia to join the Abraham Accords and host displaced Gazan refugees, which Mogadishu rejected, prompting Israel to pivot to Somaliland.
The Yemeni Separatist Controversy
Compounding the diplomatic fallout are reports that the UAE used Somali territory—specifically the airport in Berbera, Somaliland—to facilitate the escape of Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, a key leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group fighting for South Yemen’s independence. Al-Zoubaidi, facing advances by Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen, reportedly fled the country aboard a UAE-operated aircraft that transited through Berbera before heading to an undisclosed location.
Somalia responded to these allegations by banning all UAE military and cargo flights from its airspace just three days ago, on January 9, 2026. Despite the ban, tracking data indicate that some UAE cargo flights have continued to operate in the region, prompting accusations of deliberate violations. “This is not just a breach of airspace; it’s a blatant disregard for our national security,” said a Somali defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The incident ties into the UAE’s longstanding support for separatist movements in Yemen, where Abu Dhabi has backed the STC against the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. The escape operation has strained intra-coalition relations in Yemen, with Saudi officials publicly accusing the UAE of aiding al-Zoubaidi’s flight. For Somalia, the use of Berbera as a transit point underscores the UAE’s exploitation of Somaliland as a strategic outpost, bypassing Mogadishu’s authority.
Historical Context: A Decade of Strained Relations
The current crisis is the culmination of over a decade of deteriorating ties between Somalia and the UAE. In 2018, Somalia accused the UAE of interfering in its internal affairs after Emirati forces trained local militias in Somaliland and Puntland without federal approval. That same year, Mogadishu seized $9.6 million in cash from a UAE plane, claiming it was intended to fund destabilizing activities.
The UAE’s pivot to Somaliland was partly a response to Somalia’s growing alliance with Turkey and Qatar, rivals to Abu Dhabi in the Gulf. Turkey has invested billions in Somali infrastructure, including the management of Mogadishu Port and Aden Adde International Airport, and has provided military training to Somali forces. In contrast, the UAE has focused on Somaliland, viewing it as a more stable partner for its Red Sea ambitions.
Geopolitically, the Horn of Africa has become a flashpoint in the contest for control of vital shipping lanes. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which 12% of global trade passes, has been disrupted by Houthi attacks since the Gaza conflict escalated in 2023. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is seen as an effort to secure alternative basing options to counter these threats, with the UAE acting as a facilitator.
Analysts warn that this could exacerbate Somalia’s internal divisions. Somaliland’s pursuit of independence, now bolstered by Israeli support, may embolden other separatist movements in the region. “The UAE’s strategy of backing secessionists—from Somaliland to South Yemen—risks fragmenting already fragile states,” noted Dr. Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King’s College London, in a recent analysis.
Regional and International Implications
The cancellation of UAE agreements could have far-reaching consequences. Economically, Somalia may face short-term losses from halted UAE investments and aid, but officials argue that sovereignty takes precedence. “We cannot allow foreign powers to carve up our nation for their gain,” Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre emphasized in a statement.
Internationally, the move has drawn mixed reactions. Turkey and Qatar have voiced support for Somalia’s stance, while the U.S. has remained neutral, though reports suggest UAE lobbying in Washington could lead to shifts under the new Trump administration. The African Union, which does not recognize Somaliland, has called for dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Security concerns are paramount. With al-Shabaab insurgents still active in Somalia, the loss of UAE military cooperation—previously focused on counterterrorism—could create vulnerabilities. However, some Somalis view the UAE’s involvement as more harmful than helpful, given its ties to rival factions.
As the dust settles, the Red Sea’s geopolitical landscape appears more volatile than ever. Somalia’s bold action signals a rejection of external meddling, but it also risks isolating the country amid powerful alliances. Whether this leads to reconciliation or further conflict remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Horn of Africa is once again at the center of global power plays.
Juba Global News Network contributors in Mogadishu, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv provided reporting for this article. For updates, visit JubaGlobal.com.
