Arabia

Somalia, Saudi Arabia align positions at OIC emergency talks in Jiddah Jiddah, Saudi Arabia — Somalia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar, held a bilateral meeting Friday with Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji on the sidelines of an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The talks coincided with an open-ended Executive Committee session at the level of foreign ministers convened to address recent developments in the…

Somalia and Saudi Arabia on Friday signed a comprehensive maritime transport cooperation agreement in Riyadh, laying out a long-term plan to modernize Somalia’s ports, strengthen shipping services and deepen logistics ties along one of the world’s most strategic sea lanes. The accord was signed by Somalia’s minister of ports and marine transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and Saudi Arabia’s minister of transport and logistics services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. Officials from both governments described the deal as a…

Saudi Arabia’s quiet power play in Somalia’s new military pact Somalia and Saudi Arabia have signed a defense cooperation agreement in Riyadh, a move that folds one of the Horn of Africa’s most fragile states deeper into an increasingly crowded contest for Red Sea influence. The memorandum of understanding, announced by Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on X, comes weeks after Israel said it would recognize North Western State of Somalia — the northern, breakaway region of Somalia — as an independent state, a…

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. 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…

Somalia, Saudi Arabia sign defense pact as Mogadishu aligns with Egypt to reshape Horn of Africa power balance RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Somalia has entered a strategic military alignment with Saudi Arabia and Egypt after signing a defense cooperation pact with Riyadh, a move that positions Mogadishu within a powerful Red Sea security bloc and challenges the United Arab Emirates’ expanding influence in the Horn of Africa. The agreement was signed in the Saudi capital by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Saudi…

Saudi Arabia warns against foreign interference in Somalia as Israel’s North Western State of Somalia move draws backlash RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its backing for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity on Tuesday, rejecting any foreign interference in the Horn of Africa nation’s internal affairs and opposing actions that could undermine its territorial integrity. The position was outlined at a meeting of the Saudi Cabinet chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, which endorsed the outcomes of an…

Saudi Arabia backs Somalia’s unity as region pushes back against Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any attempts to undermine the country’s unity or create parallel entities — a stance that underscores growing regional opposition to Israel’s recent recognition of North Western State of Somalia. In a Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman, the Kingdom voiced support for the outcome of an…

U.S. clears $9 billion sale of Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Saudi Arabia The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia valued at an estimated $9 billion, the Pentagon said Friday. The package centers on 730 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors, known as PAC-3 MSE, with Lockheed Martin named as the principal contractor. In its announcement, the Pentagon said the proposed sale will not alter the military balance…

WASHINGTON — Senior Israeli and Saudi officials are holding separate talks in Washington this week as U.S.-Iran tensions rise and President Donald Trump weighs possible military action, officials said. Israel’s military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, met Tuesday and Wednesday with senior officials at the Pentagon, the CIA and the White House, according to people familiar with the meetings. The discussions centered on updated intelligence assessments and potential targets inside Iran should strikes be…

Israel’s late-December decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia has collided with entrenched Arab and African interests in the Horn of Africa—and is unlikely to translate into lasting influence in Somalia, according to a prominent regional affairs scholar. Ali Bakr, professor of international affairs, security and defense at Qatar University, said Israel has sought to expand its presence in the Horn since 2023. He told the Novosti news agency that the recognition of North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared…