Monday February 9, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Saudi Arabia and Somalia have signed a new military cooperation agreement to strengthen defense ties, expanding counterterrorism efforts and enhancing maritime security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, officials from both countries said.
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The memorandum of understanding was announced by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, marking a significant step in deepening the strategic partnership between Riyadh and Mogadishu.
Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia will support the training and equipping of the Somali armed forces, expand intelligence and security cooperation, and bolster joint counterterrorism efforts. The deal also provides for the exchange of military expertise, defense technology and technical support aimed at strengthening Somalia’s defense institutions, officials said.
The two governments said the partnership extends beyond Somalia’s internal security, with a shared commitment to safeguarding regional stability and maritime security along key international shipping lanes. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are vital corridors for global trade and have faced growing security challenges in recent years.
Officials said the agreement is expected to enhance Somalia’s military capacity at a time when the country continues to battle al-Shabab and seeks greater regional support to stabilize liberated areas and protect its coastline.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly positioned itself as a security partner in the Horn of Africa, while Somalia has sought to diversify its defense partnerships as part of broader efforts to rebuild its national armed forces and reduce long-term dependence on external missions.
The deal reflects a broader convergence of interests between the two countries, centered on counterterrorism, maritime security and the stability of one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
