Somalia orders Emirates to leave ports and military bases

Amid regional tensions over the Red Sea, Somalia has decided to cancel all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a result, the government of that country has ordered the Emirates to withdraw from various military bases and important ports in Somalia. The government says that the decision was taken in the wake of allegations of undermining the country's sovereignty and political independence.

According to a senior Somali government source and documents seen by Middle East-based media, the Mogadishu government on Monday canceled all agreements with the Emirates. This includes all agreements with the federal government, related agencies and regional administrations. The document says that all ongoing cooperation with the Emirates in the ports of Berbera, Bassasso and Kismayo will be covered by the decision.

In addition, the Somali cabinet has decided to cancel all agreements with the Emirates, including bilateral security and defense cooperation. According to the government, this step was taken after receiving "important information and evidence" about the country's sovereignty, national unity and political independence.

Many citizens of the country welcomed this decision of the government. Several journalists and political observers commented on social media that it was a step in the right direction. Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo also supported this decision. However, there was no immediate response from the Emirates on this matter.

On the other hand, a minister of the Somaliland government rejected the decision on social media, saying that Berbera is an internal matter of Somaliland and the Emirates is their "trusted ally". He claimed that the decision of Mogadishu will not have any impact on reality.

In the meantime, it has been reported that the Emirates is withdrawing its troops and equipment from various military bases in Somalia. This includes the base in the city of Bossaso in the Puntland region, from where it is alleged to send supplies to the Rapid Support Forces of Sudan. A senior Somali official said the Emirates was moving its security personnel and military equipment to neighboring Ethiopia, but the Puntland administration rejected the central government's decision as illegal.