Egyptian Warship Delivers Major Arms Cache to Somalia Amid Tensions

An Egyptian warship has delivered a significant cache of weaponry to Somalia, heightening tensions between Egypt, Somalia, and Ethiopia. This development follows a joint security pact signed between Egypt and Somalia, countering Ethiopia's controversial deal with Somaliland. The move has regional and international implications due to ongoing conflicts.

An Egyptian warship has delivered a second major cache of weaponry to Somalia, including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, according to port and military officials. This move is expected to further strain relations between Egypt, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

Ties between Egypt and Somalia have strengthened this year over shared concerns about Ethiopia, prompting Egypt to send several loads of arms to Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. This follows a joint security pact signed in August. In contrast, Ethiopia agreed on a preliminary deal in January with Somaliland to lease land for a port in exchange for recognition.

The Egyptian warship began unloading the weapons on Sunday. Security forces secured the area as convoys transported the weapons to military bases. Nasra Bashir Ali from the Somali Prime Minister's office posted a photo of Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur overseeing the unloading. Egyptian authorities have not commented, and Ethiopian authorities have reiterated they cannot ignore destabilizing actions in the region. Meanwhile, Egypt has offered to contribute troops to a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

(With inputs from agencies.)