Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, marking the first time any nation has officially recognized the breakaway region.
Egypt has increased its military presence in Somalia following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, fearing Israeli influence in the strategic Horn of Africa, sources told Abu Dhabi-owned outlet The National earlier this week.
The sources claimed that Cairo’s 10,000-strong force has been reassigned to address the growing geopolitical threat.
Cairo views the Horn of Africa as vital to its national security. It is also particularly concerned that Israel could leverage its new foothold in Somaliland to strengthen ties with Ethiopia, a country with which Egypt has long been embroiled in a dispute over Nile water rights.
Egypt, with more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline along the Red Sea, opposes landlocked nations like Ethiopia gaining access to this vital waterway.
Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, marking the first time any nation has officially recognized the breakaway region, which has been de facto separate from Mogadishu since 1991.
