Somalia has officially annulled all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing escalating tensions rooted in Israel's recent recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region and alleged Emirati interference in Somali internal affairs. The Somali Council of Ministers announced its decision on Monday, effective immediately, cancelling all bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements with the UAE. This move follows a period of deepening differences between the two nations.

A significant point of contention stems from Israel's decision last month to recognize Somaliland, a self-proclaimed republic that declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The UAE is widely perceived to have quietly supported this recognition, which makes Israel the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland's sovereignty. The UAE's involvement in the region includes the operation of a large deep-water port and a military base at Berbera in Somaliland, further fueling Somali concerns over its territorial integrity.

Tensions were further exacerbated by reports last week alleging that the UAE assisted a Yemeni separatist leader, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, in escaping his country. Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of facilitating Zubaidi's flight by boat and plane via Berbera and the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to Abu Dhabi. Although Somalia's immigration agency stated it was investigating an