Tensions in the Red Sea have continued to rise as Somalia has ended all its agreements with the UAE, including at major ports, kicking the Gulf power from military bases across the country.
The Council of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Somalia formally terminated all of its existing security and defence agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a move done to “safeguard the nation’s unity, territorial integrity, and constitutional order.”
The UAE was previously operating at a number of ports and military bases in Somalia, including the Berbera and Bosaso airbases, along with other facilities.
Tensions over Yemen
The decision from Mogadishu has come after the Emiratis were accused of smuggling the Yemeni separatist leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarous al-Zubaidi, from Yemen via Somalia’s region of Somaliland.
Al-Zubaidi was meant to appear in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last week for crisis talks aimed at ending weeks of clashes in south Yemen, but disappeared instead of boarding the plane.
Saudi Arabia then accused the UAE of facilitating the escape of al-Zubaidi out of Yemen to Abu Dhabi via Somaliland.
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The airbase of Bosaso was said to be used to facilitate the escape of al-Zubaidi, a base which the Emiratis will no longer be granted access to following the cancellation of all military agreements with the UAE.
The agreements that were cancelled by the Somali government include all those that were with government agencies and any related entities or regional administrations.
A document reported on by Middle East Eye read that the decision “applies to all agreements and cooperation in the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo.”
“The Council of Ministers has also terminated all existing agreements between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, including bilateral security and defence cooperation agreements,” it added.
“This decision is in response to reports and strong evidence of serious steps being taken to undermine the sovereignty, national unity, and political independence of the country.”
Sources close to 5Pillars also revealed a document which read that the decision was based on “credible reports” and “compelling evidence” that the UAE’s “hostile actions” were undermining the territorial unity and political independence of the country.
UAE aid to Sudan
An investigation by Middle East Eye in October 2025 revealed that the UAE had been using Bosaso’s port and airport as a supply route to support Sudan’s paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The report contained information pertaining to regular transport flights of “hazardous” cargo to the RSF.
Somalia’s region of Somaliland has been at the centre of controversy in the wider Arab and Muslim world since Israel announced that it would be the first country in the world to recognise the breakaway region on December 26.
Since then, Somaliland has increased its diplomatic ties with Israel, inviting its Foreign Minister to visit the region, a move that was quickly condemned by the government of Somalia.
The UAE says it has not received official notification of any comprehensive termination of agreements and continues to respect Somalia’s sovereignty.
It says UAE engagements in Somalia have focused on development, trade and regional security, and supports dialogue to prevent further escalation in the Red Sea region.
