Somalia has suspended all United Arab Emirates military and cargo flights from its airspace following the alleged unauthorized transit of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), through Somali skies.
Multiple sources say the flight, which reportedly traveled from Berbera in Somaliland through Mogadishu en route to Abu Dhabi, bypassed required clearances, triggering concerns over Somalia’s sovereignty and airspace security.
Somali authorities opened an investigation on January 7 after the reports emerged. Within 24 hours, Mogadishu imposed a sweeping ban on UAE military and cargo aircraft. Requests from Abu Dhabi for the decision to be reversed were rejected, with Somalia allowing only limited evacuation flights to withdraw existing personnel and equipment.
The move has sharply escalated diplomatic tensions, pushing relations between Somalia and the UAE to their lowest point in years. Officials in Mogadishu view the incident as part of a broader pattern of interference, including the UAE’s perceived support for Somaliland’s secession ambitions—an issue recently reignited by Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
The fallout also highlights a wider realignment in the region. Somalia suspended security cooperation with the UAE in 2018 and has since deepened ties with Saudi Arabia. The brief, unscheduled landing of a Saudi military jet in Mogadishu on the same day further fueled speculation, though no official statement was issued.
Regional analysts say the ban sends a clear message: Somalia’s airspace will not be used for unauthorized political or military transit, warning that the decision could reshape Gulf–Horn of Africa relations in the months ahead.