Egypt Delivers Military Aid to Somalia

An Egyptian warship has delivered a significant cache of arms to Somalia, further escalating tensions with Ethiopia. This delivery follows a joint security pact signed between Egypt and Somalia in August, amid growing mistrust of Ethiopia, particularly regarding Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland to lease land for a port. The military aid includes anti-aircraft guns and heavy artillery, marking the largest shipment since the UN arms embargo was lifted in December 2023. Somali officials, including Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, have welcomed the aid as a strategic alignment with Egypt against Ethiopian aggression. Somalia has demanded the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops, citing the Somaliland deal as a violation of its sovereignty. The situation underscores Egypt's increasing military engagement in the region, exacerbated by ongoing disputes over the Grand Renaissance Dam.