Mogadishu (Somalia Today) — Somalia has suspended United Arab Emirates military flights from transiting its airspace or landing at its airports, Somalia Today has learned. The move follows an official inquiry into intelligence reports that an Emirati military aircraft entered Somali airspace without authorization.
Two officials familiar with the decision told Somalia Today that Mogadishu also intends to block UAE-operated military logistics and cargo movements linked to defense operations, though routine civilian passenger overflights will be permitted to continue.
On Thursday, Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) announced it had opened an investigation into the alleged “unauthorized use” of Somali airports and airspace, describing the incident as a challenge to national sovereignty and legal procedures.
Ban communicated
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials confirmed that Somalia has formally notified Emirati counterparts of the restrictions. Relevant authorities have been instructed to deny clearances for UAE military flights pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The measures specifically target aircraft involved in military missions and cargo operations, sparing commercial airlines that regularly traverse Somali air corridors.
While the UAE has not publicly responded to the inquiry, the ICA stated Thursday that it was verifying reports of a flight conducted without the clear legal permissions required under Somali law.
The agency vowed to determine responsibility if the allegations prove accurate, stressing that respect for Somalia’s sovereignty is “not negotiable.”
Although the ICA statement did not name the UAE directly, the timing coincides with regional accusations that a UAE-linked operation utilized Somali airspace to transport a high-profile Yemeni political figure, according to Reuters.
Gulf allies split
The investigation comes on the heels of claims by Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition that the UAE facilitated the movement of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), after he failed to attend crisis talks in Saudi Arabia.
The coalition detailed that al-Zubaidi reportedly left Yemen by boat for Somaliland before boarding a flight that transited Mogadishu, eventually landing at a military airport in Abu Dhabi.
The coalition further alleged that the aircraft disabled its identification system at key points during the journey—a claim Somalia has not endorsed.
While the STC has offered conflicting accounts of al-Zubaidi’s whereabouts, the UAE has remained silent on the allegations.
This episode underscores a widening rift between Gulf partners whose interests in Yemen are increasingly diverging.
Saudi Arabia continues to back Yemen’s internationally recognized leadership and a unified political framework, whereas the UAE supports the STC, which seeks greater autonomy for the south.
Tensions escalated this week after Saudi-backed Yemeni authorities accused al-Zubaidi and other STC figures of treason, while Riyadh pushed rival factions toward de-escalation talks.
The “Southern Question” has repeatedly strained alliances since the Riyadh Agreement attempted to integrate the STC into a shared government—a process that has frequently stalled.
Somalia-UAE relations
Somalia’s relationship with the UAE has fluctuated between cooperation and confrontation over the last decade.
In 2018, ties deteriorated sharply after Somali security forces seized approximately $9.6 million from a UAE-linked aircraft at Mogadishu airport.
The UAE denounced the seizure, leading to the termination of an Emirati military training program in Somalia.
During that period, Mogadishu also pushed back against Emirati commercial and security activities in Somaliland, specifically challenging deals involving DP World and the port of Berbera, which bypassed federal authority.
Relations had recently warmed, with the two nations signing a security cooperation agreement in early 2023 to revive counterterrorism and defense collaboration.
However, the current airspace dispute arises as Mogadishu faces renewed diplomatic pressure regarding Somaliland.
In late December, Israel became the first country to formally recognize the region as an independent state—a move Mogadishu suspects was orchestrated by Abu Dhabi.
Somalia rejected the recognition as a violation of its territorial integrity, vowing a legal and diplomatic counter-offensive.
Following Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Hargeisa this week, Somalia’s Foreign Ministry called on international bodies to reaffirm Somalia’s unity.
The African Union’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Council subsequently urged Israel to reverse the “unilateral” move.
Against this volatile backdrop, Somali officials maintain that the new flight restrictions reflect a specific objective: enforcing aviation protocols to prevent foreign military movements from using Somali territory without explicit authorization.
