MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United Arab Emirates has begun withdrawing military equipment and personnel from Somalia following a decision by the Somali federal government to ban military and cargo aircraft from the Gulf state, officials and sources said.
The move comes after Somalia last week issued an order prohibiting UAE military and cargo flights, citing a security breach involving an unauthorized military aircraft that entered Somali airspace.
According to intelligence reports, the aircraft was allegedly carrying Aidarus al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, who was expected to attend talks in Saudi Arabia but instead departed without authorization.
Somali authorities said the decision was formally communicated to the UAE, which has since begun complying with the order. Several flights have already departed from Mogadishu and the port city of Bosaso.
Security sources said up to four aircraft carrying personnel and equipment are leaving Mogadishu, while six additional flights have been approved to evacuate military assets from Bosaso.
The withdrawal marks a sharp deterioration in relations between Mogadishu and Dubai, as Somalia has openly aligned itself with Saudi Arabia over the conflict in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s unity under the Presidential Leadership Council, while the UAE supports the Southern Transitional Council’s push for greater autonomy or independence for southern Yemen.
Tensions escalated further this week after Yemen’s Saudi-backed government accused al-Zubaidi of “national treason” and other offenses linked to his absence from the Riyadh talks.
Neither the UAE nor Somali federal officials have publicly commented in detail on the withdrawal.
