Northeastern State Remains Quiet Amid UAE’s Reported Israeli Radar Deployment in Bosaso

Mogadishu (AX) — The air in Northeastern State feels charged with tension these days, as authorities remain tight-lipped regarding serious allegations that the United Arab Emirates has installed sophisticated radar equipment, manufactured in Israel, at the bustling port city of Bosaso. These claims have raised eyebrows, inviting both speculation and concern about the increasing shadows of covert security operations and the burgeoning rift with Somalia’s federal government.

The controversy has escalated following reports from **Middle East Eye** and various open-source intelligence analysts, highlighting the detection of an ELM-2084 Multi-Mission Radar, an Israeli-made piece of technology positioned near Bosaso Airport, right beside the UAE-operated Bosaso Air Base. Satellite imagery from March 5 has surfaced, displaying a structure consistent with a mobile radar system at the coordinates 11°16’16.5 “N 49°06’28.3 “E. However, independent verification of these findings remains elusive. It poses an intriguing question: What does this radar system represent in terms of geopolitical strategy and local impact?

When approached about these allegations, Northeastern State’s State Minister for the Presidency, Abdifatah Abdinuur, responded not with clarity but with deflection, sharing satirical images that ridiculed Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This lack of a formal response raises an eyebrow or two. Is humor a mask for deeper issues, or merely an attempt to dodge uncomfortable questions?

insiders have informed **AX** that the installation of the radar was sanctioned by Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni without the courtesy of consulting either Somalia’s federal government or Northeastern State’s Parliament. “This was a secret deal. Even senior cabinet officials were kept uninformed,” disclosed a source with direct knowledge of the arrangement. Such secrecy seems at odds with democratic principles, doesn’t it?

The ELM-2084 radar, engineered by Israel’s ELTA Systems, boasts an impressive ability to track over 1,000 aerial and ground targets from a staggering distance of up to 470 kilometers. Its potential deployment could vastly enhance surveillance over one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, amplifying the UAE’s strategic presence in the region substantially. But one must ponder, in what ways does this expanded surveillance serve Somalia’s priorities, and does it indeed protect its people, or merely serve foreign interests?

Adding fuel to the speculative fire is the revelation that Colombian forces were allegedly rerouted through Bosaso airport for deployment in Sudan, again without the involvement or clearance from federal authorities. Satellite imagery again caught military aircraft parked at the airport, intensifying concerns over undisclosed military engagements linked to foreign entities. What are the implications of these secretive movements, and who truly benefits from them?

Compounding these unsettling rumors, public air traffic data and insights from regional sources have suggested that the UAE may be utilizing Bosaso Airport to discreetly transfer weapons, ammunition, and even fighters, including Colombian mercenaries, to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite their involvement, the Somali federal authorities were reportedly excluded from oversight of these operations. This murky state of affairs raises alarm: how much autonomy does the federal government retain, and what does foreign involvement truly mean for Somalia’s sovereignty?

In Mogadishu, federal officials have largely kept their silence, cautious not to jeopardize vital Emirati military and financial support, which is integral in the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab. Earlier this month, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi did confirm that Mogadishu had filed a formal protest regarding the UAE’s provision of extravagant protocol to North Western State of Somalia leader Abdirahman Irro, a gesture perceived as encroaching upon Somalia’s sovereignty. Isn’t it curious how the stakes play out in international diplomacy, where silence can sometimes speak louder than words?

The UAE’s involvement in Northeastern State is not a new phenomenon. Since 2017, Abu Dhabi has operated the Bosaso Air Base under a maritime security agreement that initially aimed to combat piracy. However, this relationship has grown into a more complex interaction, with the Emirates’ direct investments, particularly port deals facilitated through Dubai-based DP World often circumventing federal channels. This has inevitably heightened tensions with Somalia’s central government.

And while official dealings have usually been debated in political spheres, local sentiment tells a different story. Protests have erupted among Bosaso’s fishing communities, who accuse Emirati forces of placing undue restrictions on their access to coastal waters. Analysts have cautioned that the addition of a high-powered surveillance system could exacerbate local grievances, especially if seen as prioritizing foreign strategic interests over the needs of the Somali people. Could this state of discontent lead to a larger movement for change?

Observers note that President Deni, perceived as a benefactor of Abu Dhabi, may be seeking the UAE’s endorsement in anticipation of a potential presidential bid in Somalia’s 2026 elections. Such ambitions typically intertwine ambition with the complex fabric of international relations.

Salim Said Salim, the executive director of the SIDRA Institute in Northeastern State, aptly summarized the current situation, stating that the administration’s refusal to address the radar allegations lends weight to apprehensions surrounding unauthorized foreign military operations. “This silence suggests the claims are true,” said Salim, a sentiment that resonates with growing unease among the populace.

As events unfold, the intricate dance of diplomacy, local unrest, and international interests shapes the narrative in Northeastern State. One has to wonder—how will this saga play out, and what does it mean for the sovereignty and stability of Somalia?

Edited By Ali Musa

Axadle Times International – Monitoring