MOGADISHU (SD) – Emerging reports indicate that the Somali government has banned all military and cargo aircraft belonging to or leased by the United Arab Emirates from Somali airspace.

This step follows allegations that the UAE covertly transported a senior Yemeni political fugitive without obtaining permission or informing Somali security agencies, according to security sources.

Additionally, the Somali government has failed to persuade the UAE to abandon the political conflict it is engaged in with Somaliland, which recently received recognition from Israel.

These sources added that one of six military and cargo aircraft belonging to the UAE, which had landed at Somali airports, defied the federal government’s order twice, on Friday and Saturday.

The federal government has vowed to take further measures.

Some reports suggest that UAE aircraft were transporting equipment and other materials from the city of Bosaso after learning that President Hassan Sheikh had aligned with Saudi Arabia and was planning to sever ties with the UAE.

The decision to ban UAE flights does not affect civilian aircraft such as FlyDubai, according to sources.

This step taken by the Somali government strengthens the perception that the UAE is seeking recognition for Somaliland from its international allies.

Recognition of Somaliland by an Islamic country could disrupt the notion that Israel’s recognition is viewed negatively by Islamic nations, potentially encouraging many countries to take an interest in Somaliland’s recognition.

The airspace ban is Somalia’s most aggressive countermeasure yet in the diplomatic war over Somaliland. It represents a diplomatic gamble: betting that a hardline stance, coupled with a realignment towards Saudi Arabia, will deter further recognitions and force the UAE to recalculate its Horn of Africa policy.

It could provoke the UAE to deepen its support for Somaliland and Puntland, further fragmenting Somalia. However, by taking decisive action, Mogadishu aims to demonstrate that violations of its sovereignty will not be tolerated and that it has alternative, powerful patrons. This move marks the transition of the Somalia-Somaliland conflict into a proxy battleground for Gulf hegemony, with Somalia consciously positioning itself as a client of the Saudi-led axis against the UAE-Qatar axis.