Middle East

Somalia has halted all UAE military and cargo flights after the alleged unauthorized transit of Yemeni STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi, escalating diplomatic tensions and raising regional security and sovereignty concerns.

A Saudi military jet briefly landed in Mogadishu before flying to Riyadh, days after a Yemen-linked flight probe, intensifying scrutiny of Somalia’s airspace and regional diplomatic tensions.

Somalia’s immigration agency has launched an investigation into claims its airspace or airports were used without approval to facilitate the travel of Yemen’s STC leader, warning of serious sovereignty violations.

The Arab League condemned Israel’s foreign minister’s visit to Hargeisa, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and warning it could fuel instability in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council has dismissed STC chief Aidarous al‑Zubaidi for alleged high treason after he reportedly fled by boat to Somalia, deepening rifts in the Saudi-backed anti-Houthi coalition.

Somali National Armed Forces killed five Khawarij militants in a targeted raid near Bardhere in Gedo region, dismantling strongholds with no civilian casualties, as part of wider counterterrorism efforts.

Turkish President Erdoğan and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed discussed Somalia and Yemen in a high-level call, reaffirming support for sovereignty and regional stability amid ongoing conflicts.