MOGADISHU – The Federal Government of Somalia is reportedly preparing to escalate its response against the United Arab Emirates following a series of unauthorized flights that breached national restrictions. According to local sources, UAE military and cargo aircraft landed at Somali airports on Friday and Saturday, directly violating a standing government ban.
Repeated Violations of Sovereign Airspace
The current tensions are rooted in a specific ban on UAE military and cargo flights, which was established to protect national interests. While civilian carriers like FlyDubai remain unaffected and continue their regular operations, authorities report that UAE military assets have ignored these protocols twice within the last 48 hours.
Sources indicate that the government’s decision to intensify measures follows allegations that UAE military aircraft were used to transport Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous Al Zoubaidi through Somali airspace and airports without official authorization.
Diplomatic Rift Deepens
Somali authorities have characterized these unauthorized movements as a flagrant breach of national sovereignty. The incident has significantly strained the diplomatic relationship between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi, as the federal government signals it will no longer tolerate noncompliance with its aviation directives.
Officials are expected to announce further restrictive actions shortly to ensure the integrity of Somali territory and prevent future unauthorized use of its strategic infrastructure.
