Somalia turns to Middle East allies as tensions rise over Somaliland

Somalia has signed a new military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, stepping up a diplomatic push across the Gulf as it seeks backing amid rising regional tensions linked to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in Riyadh on Monday by Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia defence minister, and Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia defence minister. Both sides said the deal would deepen defence and military cooperation, but offered few details about its scope.

In a brief statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said the agreement “aims to strengthen the frameworks of defence and military cooperation between the two countries” and covers “multiple areas of common interest that serve the strategic interests of both parties”.

Prince Khalid confirmed the signing in a post on X, describing it as part of wider efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between Riyadh and Mogadishu.

The deal comes just weeks after Somalia signed a similar defence pact with Qatar, underlining a clear turn towards Gulf partners at a time of growing unease in the Horn of Africa.

According to the Somali state news agency, the agreement with Doha focuses on military training, the exchange of expertise, the development of defence capabilities and closer security cooperation. Qatar said the pact was intended to strengthen joint cooperation in ways that serve mutual interests and enhance defence partnerships.

Together, the agreements signal a coordinated diplomatic and security outreach by Mogadishu, which is facing one of its most sensitive foreign policy moments in years.

The immediate backdrop is Israel’s decision in December to recognise Somaliland, the self declared breakaway region that has operated independently from Somalia since 1991 but lacks international recognition. Israel is the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, a move that Somalia has condemned as a violation of its sovereignty.
Mogadishu has warned that the recognition could have serious security consequences.

Somali officials have accused Israel of planning to establish a military base in Somaliland, a claim Israel has not confirmed.

Somalia says such a base could be used to project power across the Red Sea and threaten neighbouring states.

“This is not just a political issue. It is a direct threat to regional stability,” a senior Somali official told Al Jazeera, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Analysts say Somalia’s outreach to Saudi Arabia and Qatar reflects both urgency and calculation. The Gulf states wield significant political and financial influence in the region and have longstanding interests in Red Sea security, trade routes and counterterrorism.

Saudi Arabia, in particular, has expanded its security footprint in the Horn of Africa in recent years, driven by concerns over maritime security and rival influence from Iran and other regional players. Qatar has also been an active partner of Somalia, providing aid, training and diplomatic support to successive governments in Mogadishu.

For Somalia, closer defence ties with powerful Gulf allies could help strengthen its armed forces, which are still battling the Islamist group al Shabaab, while also shoring up diplomatic backing against moves that challenge its territorial integrity.

Still, the lack of detail surrounding the new agreement with Saudi Arabia leaves key questions unanswered. It is unclear whether it will involve troop deployments, arms transfers or intelligence sharing, or how it might alter the balance of power in the region.
What is clear is that Somalia is signalling it will not face the Somaliland issue alone. By moving quickly to secure regional partners, Mogadishu is seeking to turn diplomatic pressure into strategic support, at a moment when the Horn of Africa is once again becoming a focal point of global and regional rivalry.

Faith Omoboye

Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.