Egypt Arms Somalia Amid Tensions with Ethiopia

An Egyptian warship delivered a major cache of weaponry to Somalia, escalating tensions with Ethiopia. This follows a series of arms shipments as Egypt and Somalia strengthen their ties. Ethiopia's separate deal with Somaliland has further strained relations. Egypt also offered troops for a new peacekeeping mission.

An Egyptian warship has delivered a significant cache of weaponry to Somalia, including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, according to port and military officials on Monday. This development is expected to heighten existing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.

Relations between Egypt and Somalia have grown stronger this year, driven by their mutual distrust of Ethiopia. In August, the countries signed a joint security pact, leading Cairo to send multiple planeloads of arms to Mogadishu. Tensions soared after Ethiopia signed a preliminary deal in January with the breakaway region of Somaliland to lease land for a port, which could pave the way for its recognition as an independent state.

The Egyptian warship started unloading the weapons on Sunday, with heavy security presence blocking the quayside and adjacent roads. Convoys transported the weapons to defense ministry buildings and nearby military bases. Egyptian authorities have either declined to comment or were unavailable for immediate response.

Complicating matters, Ethiopia, which has 3,000 soldiers in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission, has faced accusations of violating Somali sovereignty through its Somaliland deal. Egypt has offered to deploy troops to a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, although Addis Ababa views such moves as destabilizing. Ethiopian officials were unreachable for comment.

(With inputs from agencies.)