Somalia opens investigation into alleged unauthorized transit of Yemeni separatist leader

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has opened an urgent investigation into allegations that its airspace and airports were used without authorization to move Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the UAE-backed leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, amid rising regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Immigration and Citizenship Agency said Thursday it is examining claims that al-Zubaidi transited through Somali territory after skipping planned peace talks in Riyadh. The review focuses on whether Somali law, established procedures or authorization protocols were violated in the reported movements.

The probe follows a statement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen that said al-Zubaidi left the southern Yemeni city of Aden by boat to North Western State of Somalia before boarding an aircraft that flew to Mogadishu and later landed at a military airport in Abu Dhabi.

In a statement, Somalia’s immigration agency said it was working with relevant national authorities to verify the allegations and assess potential breaches. “If confirmed, such actions would constitute a serious violation of Somalia’s national sovereignty and immigration regulations,” the agency said. “The facilitation of fugitives or the conduct of unilateral operations on Somali territory without lawful authorization is unacceptable.”

The agency added that respect for sovereignty and adherence to national and international legal frameworks are “non-negotiable principles,” warning that any confirmed violations would be met with appropriate legal and administrative measures.

Somalia’s federal government reiterated its support for Saudi Arabia’s call for dialogue in Riyadh as the appropriate political process to address Yemen’s crisis. It said any attempt by al-Zubaidi to evade that process, including through alleged external support, would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. “Should the investigation substantiate these reports, such conduct would also constitute a breach of applicable bilateral arrangements and a violation of relevant principles of international law governing the lawful movement of persons,” the statement said.

There was no immediate comment from the Southern Transitional Council or the Emirati government. Somali authorities have not confirmed whether al-Zubaidi entered Mogadishu or used Somali aviation facilities.

The allegations have renewed scrutiny of Somalia’s airspace and ports amid concern they are increasingly being drawn into wider regional conflicts. In November 2025, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi told the Upper House of Parliament that aircraft had been flying from Bosaso, Puntland State’s commercial hub, to Sudan, though the government did not know who operated the flights or what cargo they carried.

His remarks followed weeks of reporting by Hiiraan Online and other outlets highlighting Bosaso’s growing role in regional logistics networks linked to the UAE. A Middle East Eye investigation published Oct. 31 reported that UAE-linked IL-76 cargo planes had repeatedly landed at Bosaso Airport since 2023, offloading what sources described as hazardous shipments before continuing toward Sudan.

Somalia’s investigation is ongoing.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.