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Two Egyptian C-130 Military Aircraft landed at Mogadishu airport on Tuesday, delivering troops and military equipment amid rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, The deployment comes months after Egypt’s pledge to support Somalia in the event of Ethiopian aggression, signaling a significant escalation in the region’s simmering tensions…
Under a recent defense pact, Egypt is set to deploy 5,000 troops with tanks and military aircraft to safeguard Mogadishu following the end of ATMIS operations this year. Additionally, Cairo will contribute another 5,000 soldiers to the new African Union mission, AUSSOM, scheduled to commence in January 2025.
Rumors over planned deployment of Egyptian troops along Somalia-Ethiopia border have raised alarms among Somali regional officials in Gedo and Hiran. They warn that such a move could jeopardize their communities, potentially drawing them into a conflict between Cairo and Addis Ababa.
Mogadishu has repeatedly echoed plans to expel Ethiopian forces in response to Addis Ababa’s agreement with Somaliland for sea access, which Mogadishu views as a breach of its sovereignty. Despite this, Addis Ababa maintains that its military presence in Somalia is crucial for defending its border against security threats from militants.
