Somalia has signed a “military cooperation” agreement with Saudi Arabia, as Mogadishu seeks regional support against Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.
The memorandum of understanding was signed between Somali Minister of Defence Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Khalid bin Salmoan bin Abdulaziz, in Riyadh.
According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defence, the agreement “aims to strengthen the frameworks of defense and military cooperation between the two countries, and includes multiple areas of common interest, serving the strategic interests of both parties.” Prince Khalid confirmed the agreement in a post on X.
Prior to signing the military agreement, the delegation led by Somalia’s Minister of Defence, H.E. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who is on an official working visit to Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attended the opening of the World Defense Show 2026, which has commenced in Riyadh.
The visit to the exhibition also includes a delegation led by the Minister of Internal Security, H.E. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, accompanied by the Commander of the Somali Police Force, Brig. Gen. Asad Osman Abdullahi.
The exhibition, now in its third edition, will run from 8 to 12 February 2026, and brings together international delegations, government institutions, and companies specialising in the defence and security industries.
According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defence, the participation of the Somali delegation focuses on strengthening defence cooperation, exchanging expertise, and keeping abreast of the latest technologies in security and military industries.
The diplomatic offensive by Somalia comes amid growing tensions in the Horn of Africa region following Israel’s world-first recognition of Somaliland in December.
Mogadishu has warned that Israel plans to set up a military base in the breakaway region, which could be used to launch attacks on neighbouring countries.
Separately, Somalia also cancelled all agreements with the United Arab Emirates(UAE) last month, including port operations, security and defence deals, citing “harmful actions” that undermine its “national unity and political independence.”
The move came amid reports that the UAE had facilitated Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence.The Gulf state, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, has cultivated deep economic and security ties with Somaliland. These include a 30-year concession at the strategic Berbera port held by the UAE company DP World.
The UAE declined to sign a joint Arab-Islamic statement condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, but it released a joint statement with the African Union in January pledging “support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability.”
Somalia’s break with the UAE coincided with a deterioration in Saudi Arabian-Emirati relations.
Tensions erupted in December when Saudi forces bombed what Riyadh described as a UAE weapons shipment to the separatist Southern Transitional Council in Yemen. Saudi Arabia also backed a call by Yemen’s internationally recognised government for Emirati forces in the country to withdraw. The UAE denied the allegations.
Somalia Inks Similar Deal With Qatar
Somalia’s military agreement with Saudi comes weeks after inking a similar deal with Qatar.
Last month, Somalia signed a defence pact with Qatar, aimed at “strengthening military ties and security collaboration,” according to the Somali state news agency.
It said that the pact with Qatar “focuses on military training, the exchange of expertise, the development of defence capabilities, and enhanced security cooperation, in support of efforts to promote regional security and stability.”
Doha said that the agreement was “aimed at strengthening areas of joint cooperation in a way that serves mutual interests and enhances defense partnerships.”
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