Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Jan 17: Saudi Arabia is moving towards forming a new military alliance with Somalia and Egypt as part of efforts to curb the growing regional influence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a Bloomberg report.
Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Saudi Arabia shortly to finalise the agreement, which is aimed at strengthening military cooperation and boosting security in the Red Sea region.
Ties between the two Gulf powers have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks after Saudi Arabia asked the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemen, accusing Abu Dhabi of backing separatist groups there. On December 30, Saudi forces bombed the Yemeni port city of Mukalla, claiming to have targeted a weapons shipment allegedly sent by the UAE to the Southern Transitional Council.
The incident sparked an unusually public exchange between Saudi and Emirati voices, breaking years of carefully managed rhetoric on Gulf unity. Describing the strike as a “limited” operation, Saudi Arabia said its national security was a “red line” and labelled the UAE’s actions as “extremely dangerous”.
In the aftermath, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council demanded the withdrawal of Emirati forces, scrapped a defence pact with the UAE and imposed emergency restrictions on ports and crossings.
Somalia has also taken action against the UAE, cancelling security and port agreements this week after accusing the Gulf state of violating its sovereignty. The move followed the UAE’s role in facilitating the movement of STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi through Somali territory.
Concerns over Somalia’s territorial integrity have grown as the UAE and its regional ally Israel have strengthened ties with Somaliland, a breakaway region with its own administration. Saudi Arabia has publicly backed Somalia’s unity and joined other Muslim-majority countries in criticising Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
While the UAE has reiterated support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, it has developed close ties with Puntland and Somaliland administrations, bypassing Mogadishu, and invested heavily in ports such as Berbera and Bosaso.
Saudi officials are reportedly pressing Somalia to distance itself from the UAE, signalling Riyadh’s intent to deepen diplomatic and military engagement in East Africa. Meanwhile, ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt have strengthened, with Egyptian sources indicating that Cairo recently shared intelligence with Riyadh on Emirati activities in Yemen.
The move comes amid reports that Turkey is also exploring closer defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia, potentially joining a broader regional framework.
Analysts say the push for new defence alliances reflects a significant shift in regional dynamics, with Saudi Arabia seeking to counter an emerging Emirati-led axis and reshape the balance of power in West Asia and the Horn of Africa.