Somalia's government canceled all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after what it described as the improper use of Somali airspace by the UAE to "smuggle" a fugitive Yemeni separatist leader through the country, according to Somali government minister Ali Omar. Omar told Al Jazeera on January 13, 2026, that the incident involving Aidarous al-Zubaidi was the "last straw" in a series of disagreements between the two nations.
The minister's statement outlines a significant deterioration in relations between Somalia and the UAE, prompting the cancellation of previously established agreements. The specific details of these agreements were not immediately disclosed, but they are understood to encompass economic and security cooperation.
Aidarous al-Zubaidi is a prominent figure in Yemen's separatist movement, leading the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seeks independence for South Yemen. His presence in Somali airspace, allegedly facilitated by the UAE, raised serious concerns within the Somali government regarding sovereignty and regional stability.
The UAE has yet to officially respond to the allegations made by Minister Omar. However, tensions between Somalia and the UAE have been escalating for some time, primarily due to the UAE's increasing involvement in the breakaway region of Somaliland, which Somalia considers part of its territory. The UAE has invested heavily in Somaliland, including the development of the Berbera port, a move that has angered the Somali government in Mogadishu.
Somalia has repeatedly accused the UAE of undermining its sovereignty and interfering in its internal affairs. The cancellation of agreements marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic rift. The Somali government has not specified what further actions it intends to take, but the situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the UAE responds and international actors potentially intervene to mediate. The incident underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the competing interests of regional powers.
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